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Temporary Accommodation - being forced to move

4 replies

2blessed2bestressed · 04/04/2020 22:22

Sorry for the long post but there's quite a lot of points and don't want to drip feed!

I received a call last week while I was at work from the council saying that they wanted to move me to a longer term temporary accommodation. As I am not directly homeless and already in temporary they said there would be no rush and they would look for a suitable property

I received a call the next day from a landlord asking me to collect the keys for a property as I was expected to move in immediately. I had no knowledge of this and called the council.

They stated that I had received an offer letter via email at 3.30pm the previous day informing me that I would be expected to move, and if I refused the property my current accommodation would be cancelled and I would be made intentionally homeless.

I had no internet so had not seen the email. I informed the council of this and they said they would ask the staff member who arranged the move to contact me via telephone ASAP.

I heard nothing from her so the next day called many times and was told that she had emailed me giving me a 12pm deadline to arrange to collect the keys and move in or she will take it as I am refusing it. It was just after 11am when I was told this. She must have known that I wouldn't see the email as the other staff member confirmed that they had made it clear that I needed to be contacted by phone.

Due to the current lockdown I have no friends or family willing to help me move (which is understandable), I don't drive so would be travelling on the bus with my 6 month old daughter which I have avoided since the lockdown due to the risk. I have also moved at the beginning of last month which cost me a lot so I don't have any spare money to hire a van.

I'm also a key worker and work 5 minutes walk away from where I currently live. My new accommodation would require me to get 4 buses to get my daughter to childcare and then to work.

My mum checked my emails for me and they have now said I have until Monday to move but this doesn't solve any of the issues!! Unless I am expected to move my furniture one by one on the bus for an hour and a half each way Hmm

I have contacted the mp who has spoken to the council but as it was friday afternoon I have not had a response from either him or the council and have no idea what to do. It's literally impossible for me to move by Monday and by the time I'll receive a response it will be too late as I will have a matter of hours to either move or be made homeless.. Can anyone offer any advice?

OP posts:
DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 04/04/2020 22:39

I'm not sure if there are different rules for different areas, but in my area they can move you at any point, to any location within our region at any time, and you get no say in where they are moving you to, so it would be very unlikely that they would take your work/childcare into account as their only duty is to provide a roof over your head.

This weekend, while the council offices arent open, I would be trying to find a charity to help, post in your local facebook groups, take screenshots, and keep a note of places you have phoned, screenshots of email replies etc.

On monday contact your MP again, and contact the council, show them that you have tried everything to help yourself, and got nowhere, and ask how they suggest helping you to move your things during a lockdown. They really cannot expect you to manage to get a van and a driver sorted at this point in time.

The council, however cant evict you for 3 months anyway I believe, by which time things may be more sorted out for you.

Sorry you're going through this, it's a stress you could be doing without Flowers

2blessed2bestressed · 04/04/2020 22:46

Thanks for your reply

In my area they can move you anytime as well, but I really wasn't expecting it to happen during a lockdown and I've just settled where I am now. It just feels like the rug had been pulled from under my feet and I don't know what to do. I'm at work at the moment and have just told my boss that I might have to leave if I can't fix this and I feel so terrible at a time where we are so short staffed.

If they would help me to move that would solve the actual moving issue but they seem reluctant to even speak to me. I know they are busy but this is an impossible situation

OP posts:
2blessed2bestressed · 04/04/2020 22:46

Thanks for the suggestions I will contact shelter and citizens advice

OP posts:
Reluctantbettlynch · 04/04/2020 22:48

Contact Shelter OP, they will be best placed to give advice?

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