to think i will never get a council house?

[bellver888]

been on the waiting list 2 years - showing 30 in bidding systems
DV occurred up to September 2020 when i forced my exp out the house.
rent is 600 and i cannot afford it now there’s just me and DS.
Landlord is shit, I have no heating, riddled with damp and window hanging out of pane. It’s a 3rd floor flat. HSA (housing standards authority) keep saying they’re contacting my landlord and he’s sending someone round, they never come.
PTSD is kicking in and i can’t go in my bedroom without vomiting and panicking as that’s where the abuse occurred
poor credit and no guarantor and no way i can afford private rent as average is 600-700 in my area and i need support
severe depression, OCD and anxiety
im getting 1140 in UC and im in arrears with everything, DHP was rejected and can’t appeal

Every single time when I phone up I get “keep bidding you’re moving up the list” yet I’m really not. I can’t take anymore of this, I hate my life and I don’t think I have a future at all.

@Belinda554 no as it’s my landlords responsibility to sort out

OP I’m not sure if you’re a current student, but if so have you tried the UoM accommodation office or the SU for help? There is university accommodation that is suitable for families (not much, but some). You might be able to get counselling too from the student counselling service.

I’m not yet a student I deferred in 2020 I’m back sept this year

1. Doctor for letter regarding both your mental and physical health. Also for mold being dangerous to dc.
2. Tell Env. Health you are going to the local paper (or national even) if they don't come and inspect the property immediately. Send them photos. List your contact with them and landlord in a timeline. If they don't come then go to the paper - they love a council failing a single mum with a shit landlord story! . Sad-face Daily Mail story will make them jump!
3. Local Councillor for same (photos and timeline).
4. MP..
5. Official complaint to council about them doing nothing about your rented accommodation being unfit for human habitation. The quicker you can get your flat designated unfit the quicker you are in need of accommodation!

Grit your teeth and try even avenue on repeat. Good luck!

I emailed my local MP and he’s put in a complaint
I too have made a formal complaint

1st of feb is the last day before I can chase it up

This thread has more bad advice than any I have ever read on MN. Whatever you do, do not stop paying rent, have another baby or “badger” the housing office by ringing them multiple times a day

Unfortunately OP, there isn’t a magic solution. The only two things that might realistically speed things up drastically are either moving further out or going to a Uni that offers family accommodation.

What uni are you at currently (or due to be at) and what is your subject area?

Are you an intermitting student (started your course but are taking a year out) or a deferring student (had a place but delayed taking it up by a year)?

I’m starting at Manchester Met to study social work

Oh sorry yes you did say Social Work.

I got to 2nd year, exP was attacking me regularly and refusing to let me out, then I found out I was pregnant so I had to pause a year. I’m due back sept 2021

So they don’t have family rooms?

It actually couldn’t hurt to call their student advice service. They’ll probably say they aren’t funded to advise you until you’re an enrolled student but you might be lucky and find they can help offer holders. Worst case scenario, you call them back in the autumn. Uni advice services are usually very good and used to dealing with a very wide range of issues.

@bellver888

I got to 2nd year, exP was attacking me regularly and refusing to let me out, then I found out I was pregnant so I had to pause a year. I’m due back sept 2021

Oh okay well that’s different. You’re intermitting. So you’re still “one of theirs” so to speak. Ring them. They should be able to make calls and write letters on your behalf and generally advice. They also have emergency funds.

Advise not advice

The only people they listen to is a housing needs report from an occupational therapist. You can self refer through adult social services. Once the housing has this report you'll be higher priority if it shows you have a need which sounds like you do for mental health reasons because of the DV.

www.theunionmmu.org/advice-centre

@RickiTarr I was thinking student services for an intermitting student too.

And @Thingsdogetbetter gives a good list.

You need to provide evidence, chase indefatigably and know the policies inside out. All good practice for social work.

Work with Domestic abuse services for recovery programmes and therapy. Get the flashbacks and trigger strategies focused on by mental health.

And apply for maintenance even if you are no contact with the perpetrator.

1. talk to uni about family rooms Most unis have this and it will be conveniently located for your course.
2. can you look at smaller properties (eg cheaper) in your area to get you on your feet? 1 bed places? If DS only 1 he can stay in your room with you, kids that age don't need their own room.
3. if you don't have an m postcode you must already be a bit of a way out of Manchester itself. Manchester met uni is more central so you are going to be travelling a way in anyway, can you look on the fastest train routes?
4. your biggest issue with private renting is going to be your credit rating.im not surprised you can't find anywhere better. Is it the best time to return to your studies where you are likely to be worse off? Not all benefits are available to full time students. You might be better off working full time to get your debt paid down to get a better chance of renting somewhere better. Or can you stomach living where you are just to finish that last year of your course? I'm dont think its realistic to pin your hopes on social housing as it's just so in demand.

I'm surprised that Shelter and Citizens Advice have said there's nothing you/they can do? There are things you can do:

• take legal action against landlord for failing to fix the damp/mould and ensure your home is fit for human habitation. See england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/legal_action_if_your_landlord_wont_do_repairs

• make a homeless application to the council, you should argue that there is a significant risk to your health because of poor conditions (damp/mould), they may reject this on the grounds that you are not homeless, but if they agree you're homeless or "threatened with homelessness" they have a legal duty to help you, this should bump you up the priority list

• contact your local councillors (ie on the city/district council) to ask for their help

Different areas have different systems for prioritising social housing applications. I've never heard of gold/silver/bronze, in my area its Band A-D. Relevant criteria include health conditions (ie your PTSD), do you know if this was factored in when they put you in the "silver" band?

Have you tried contacting your university - they have generally have really good housing departments (although they might be a bit slower than normal right now as all wfh) who are great at finding properties.

I work for one of the Unis in Mcr (not in housing) and i know that they have really helped some of the students

Are you still eligible for uc if you go back to uni? When I was out of work (and thinking of going back to uni) I was told I'd lose the majority of my benefits if I enrolled full time 16+ hours per week, as that would make me 'intentionally unemployed', which is similar to being 'intentionally homeless' if you leave your current place, or stop paying rent.

Please, please do not have another baby to make you more in need, that's the worst advice I've ever read on here!

Definitely speak to the university. You should also look at areas like Tyldesley who have a lot of social housing and who are very handy for the university on the V1 bus.

I’m in a debt relief order so debt isn’t an issue.
I probably won’t end up going back to uni, it was just one thing I had hopes for to give me and DS a good life, I’m a bus ride away from Manchester Met. Just a diff postcode. Will start looking at one beds.

I’m already on the homeless register but could be on it years.

@Ffsffsffsffsffs having another baby is the last thing on my mind haha

The issue isn’t not being able to “stomach living here” it’s the price and the fact my house is falling to bits and the damp is probably going to end up affecting our health