I can’t believe it’s happened again

[Booboobooboo84]

I’m desperately trying to get myself moved out of a domestic violence refuge. I’m unable to work while here due to the rent being £300 pw so have to rely on benefits. Just saying as don’t want to dripfeed or for it to look like I’m expecting a handout. I just hope for a handup so that I can get back to work. I only intend to need to claim hb for my first month in the new flat.

My issue is I keep getting to the top of the list and the housing associations ask for 2 months rent upfront. Not a problem the council can arrange this within about 72 hours. I currently live on £56 pw after paying service charges so saving £1200 is out of my reach.

My aibu is I’m just so distraught at the fact that the housing associations only give you a day to find the money despite knowing it will take the council 72 hours. So in the last few weeks I’ve been offered 4 suitable flats (and I would snap up anything at all) but not one housing association will give the time needed to raise the 2 months. Even with the housing officers intervention. One today even sent me armed with a letter committing that the council will pay any costs but the housing association was like nope cash or nothing.

I’m going to be in this refuge forever aren’t I. I can’t move to a different area as the home office chose this one for my own safety. I’ve looked into a gofundme but can’t do anything that might identify me pubically for my own safety.

I just don’t know if I’m being ur to think it’s so so wrong

@cottonwoolbrain not taken the wrong way at all. I want out as much as they want me out 😂 they are as bemused by the new rules as me. The housing associations used to make an exception to refuge applicants but all decided unilaterally to stop doing so. Where I am is only a 3 month stay and I’ve been here since August. There only option is to evict me as I no longer need their support, I’m ready to move on, but that would put me in a homeless shelter so they aren’t prepared to do that

On the plus side when I get out of here and can start living and have my work up and running, I do enjoy a good cause and I don’t think ongoing to drop how hard it’s been to get out. I’m lucky it’s just me on my own. There are women with kids stuck here with absolutely no hope. Some that are facing 2 year stays. So once I’m in a position where my identity is established and court cases are over, I’m going to be campaigning so no one else goes through this. It’s wrong.

How utterly fucking ridiculous.

Lots of good advice so I don’t have anything to add, except, you really need to check first before borrowing cash because the council won’t be able to pay you it in cash and you’ll have a loan on your hands. Which you really don’t need right now.

Do you an actual job lined up for when you can take it?

People seem to get great results when they use Twitter...it might be worth seeing what you can get going. Under another name of course.

Well done for getting out of the DV situation & Good luck.

@clemdanfango I pretty much got that in letter form from them for the housing association today. It was completely unprecedented for them to do it but I went with a letter signed by the housing benefit manager confirming that they will cover the rent, deposit and any other fees up to £750 and the housing association said no cash only. Most don’t even take cards.

Sounds totally bonkers, how awful Booboo.

Could you get something like this:
www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Discretionary-Housing-Payment/What-is-a-Discretionary-Housing-Payment

I’m not allowed on twitter. I’m not entirely sure I’m allowed on mumsnet. I just joined because as someone without children it was the last place anyone would look for me on social media.

It might sound a bit wanky to say but I’m an artist. And I can raise enough contracts to work full time at that. I’ve probably turned down about £17,000 work since August. I can also get a steady income working part time as an admin for my friend.

The council have also written off the first two months being a loan. They are issuing it as a grant because they also can see I’m just stuck and won’t cost then anything more than a 25% council tax discount.

Place marking as I'm going looking for charities who might help.

Can I ask how old you are?

What would happen regarding council housing if the refugee made you homeless? Would that put you in a dufferentnoisition re the deposit rules? I’m sure you’ve thought of that already, but I’m scraping the barrel 😖

@ravenmum that’s exactly what I can get. Only it can’t be paid cash in advance. The council understandably can’t give the money out wily nily they have to have proof which you get when you view the property. But in order to secure the property you have to have the money at the viewing

Can you rent privately? I was in almost the same situation as you and the estate agent was brilliant.

I’m mid 30’s. It wouldn’t. They’ve already made me band a so I’m top of the list on everything.

What the blazes...your MP is rubbish utterly utterly rubbish... how dare he say something like that...... how dare he, I'm absolutely fuming. Try your local councillors and I hope you have better luck with them..

I'm actually furious

In that case, can your friend not lend you the money & you work it off?

@crispbutty I’m constantly investigating private housing too however due to my identity change I have only got 2 months of bank statements and it scares landlords off, completely understandably.

@annieannimouse unfortunately not. His work is seasonal so if it was August a loan would be no problem but right now it’s just not an option.

@listsandbudgets yeah there’s a general belief by the mp that homeless support, drug support and domestic violence support attracts people to the area. So if there is no support the problems will just vanish.

What equipment / space do you need to do your artistic work ? (If that's not too outing) maybe that could be found so you could get out of this situation. It's wrong and I feel for you OP.

Did your MP really think getting rid of a dv hostel would get rid of the dv problem? that's bonkers of him

I can’t thank everyone enough for your support. I’d just started to convince myself that maybe I am being completely out of order expecting the help. I didn’t really have a choice in moving here I had about ten mins notice. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve had here and I don’t want to block a room that another woman needs more.

Sorry if it's been said already (skim reading on my lunch) can shelter help?
What's your local homeless charity called?
It's ridiculous. How have others managed to get Re housed?

communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Funding-Bulletin-February-2018.pdf

You probably have to live in Yorkshire but have a look through that and see if there's a charity who could help. Also there may be something similar you can access in your area.

Don't write to your MP - find out when he has a surgery and go there physically.
I would also contact Shelter - see if there is anything they can do/advise.

I need a sketchbook and pencils. I’m also a glass artist but I can pick myself up with Just pad and pencils to start off with Which I have. They were actually other than the dog the only things I bought with me. (The dog is in a pet refuge and is a trained medical support dog - he would have been killed if I left him behind)

I also have 6 months of work to sell but I can’t do anything with it because my tenancy contract with the refuge says I can’t work or sell from there. I also can’t earn enough to cover £300pw rent here plus studio space. I’m good- I’m not that good lol.

Ok, clearly I know less than fuck all about any of this, so please feel free to tell me to shut up. I won’t be offended!

If you’re an artist, are you not going to massively out yourself by working again?

Are you really going to be able to work without being found?

If the Home Office have given you a new ID, why can’t they help out here?

Will the council reimburse you if you find a way to get the cash?

Can you not ask a senior manager at a bank, explaining the situation, with the letter from the council?

There simply has to be a way.

Thank you @ifanciedanamechange I read that last month but I’ll go through it again and make sure I’ve not missed anything. I’m not in the Yorkshire area. But I’ve tried every area going.

@ginandgingerbeer others managed in the past due to money gained from ex-p’s or because the rule wasn’t being as rigidly enforced until recently