DV and temporary accommodation

[omega11]

Sorry if this sounds oddly written, I didn't want to drip feed!

I have had to leave my property due to domestic violence and have been offered temporary accommodation in Birmingham over 80 miles away. There is no need for me to be moved out of the borough but the council have said there are no other properties available.

I'm currently working in another borough 10 miles away and my DS goes to nursery in the next road. There is no risk of DV in this area and I have been referred to this borough by my current LA. I have been told the referral may take a few months (I'm anticipating a lot longer) to be processed.

Moving to Birmingham will effectively make me immediately unemployed as there is no way I would be able to travel so far with an 8 month old on public transport. I have let the council know this but as they informed me I had to move on Friday (by 5pm the same day!) they were not able to respond in time and have said that if I don't move I will have made myself homeless and my current accommodation will be cancelled immediately.

I haven't been able to move anyway as I haven't been paid yet and have no way of moving the contents of a 2 bed flat 80 miles away. They suggested I carry it on public transport..... I am also not entitled to a loan from Universal Credit as I earn too much.

What can I do? I have work in the morning but have requested a late start so I can try and get this sorted. I don't really have the option of taking the day off as I can't afford it and either way will need to hire a van. Do I contact the borough I have been referred to to attempt to ask them to provide accommodation so I can continue working?

Please help, I'm barely holding it together and can't face the thought of unemployment and isolation

Hello

You poor thing

This was me three years ago

What about a refuge in your area?

Could you open up and tell work maybe they can make some adjustments for you?

Xxxx

My god OP that is awful and completely unacceptable. No wonder women find it so hard to get out of abusive relationships do you have anybody at all who can give you a room for a few weeks in the local area? Or could you find a private let quickly even if it's just a 1 bed on a short term contract? Did you speak to Women's Aid at all?

Have children social care been involved at all. I wonder if they would support you to access suitable accommodation in order to help protect your child from the DV?

It wasn’t clear from the op but was your temporary accommodation through a refuge or local authority housing?

Thanks for your replies.

My employers are aware of the situation and are very understanding but it's not the kind of job where I can take time off like that as my service users would really miss out and need daily support (ideally from me ). It's such a shame as it has taken a long time to build up relationships with them and they will also be affected by me leaving. Ironically this will likely cost the local authority I want to move to more money.

I haven't been offered a refuge and to be honest I wouldn't want to take a place when I know there are other women in much greater need.

Social services were involved briefly but have now closed the case after just 3 weeks. I'm not sure if they would be able to support me with this and I think it may be too late as I need to know by tomorrow.

I have been looking for private accommodation since I first went to the council but unfortunately there is nothing. I could stay with my mum for a short time but again the council would say I had refused a suitable offer and would discharge me.

I haven't spoken with women's aid but am getting support from a different organisation. I had 2 phone conversations which were really helpful but never heard from my support worker again. The housing officer was also supposed to help me but has been absolutely useless.

Definitely give Women's Aid a call in the morning.

Weighing up your circumstances it may be that it's easier to live with your mum so you can keep you job and find a private rental or try and get back on the housing list.

I think it's disgusting the way the council has operated WRT keeping you on a list. Does common sense not come into this?!

@omega11

Good morning OP, first of all let me say how sorry I am to hear about what you’re going through, and I’m sure a load of crap from the housing office is the last thing you need right now!

Please, please, please contact a solicitor. Legal advice should be free in this situation and this is often the only way to stop things like this from happening unfortunately. The council can’t offer you properties they don’t have, but a solicitor may be able to threaten them with something called a ‘judicial review’, and this is normally enough to kick them up the backside and make them reconsider. Temporary accommodation doesn’t have to be ideal but it does have to be suitable and you do often have to argue your case unfortunately.

It’s especially important that you do this in the case of DV, as they will argue it is ‘safer’ for you to move to Birmingham if you are at risk, and they will argue safety takes priority over schools/jobs etc.

I’d recommend calling Shelter in the first instance - 0808 800 4444 - ASAP.

Wishing you the best of luck OP x

Thanks, I'm on hold to shelter now although the music is enough to make anyone depressed

I will definetely contact a solicitor, I hadn't thought of that!

It's just such a nightmare, I haven't slept properly in days and I can't think straight..

Keep us updated OP I've been thinking of you today I wish I could be more help

Sending you lots of good wishes

It gets better

You are free and safe

I know how hard it is
We are so happy now xxxxx

It is ridiculous but unfortunately correct that if you turn down temporary accommodation you have made yourself intentionally homeless and won’t help. Regardless of support networks/schools/employment it is a remarkably unsympathetic system.

I hope women’s aid can offer some support.

That's tough. I'd suggest you live with your mum for now and keep looking for a private rental. If nothing comes up you can ask your mum to make you homeless and you will be offered temporary accommodation.

Please just stay with your mum. If you were my daughter I'd sleep on the floor to make sure you were safe.

Move in with your mum and find a private let. The council need to ensure you aren't homeless, but they don't have to house you where it's convenient. In London there are very few properties available for emergency accommodation due to cost