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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Posting for traffic homelessness

33 replies

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 07:44

I'm asking on here on behalf of someone else. They have had to stop work through health reasons and can't return until an operation. They were never good at saving money but earned well. The benefits he's on are a 1/4 of what he earned. Landlords wanted him out when he couldn't pay the £600 rent. They kept sending incorrect section 21 and everytime the council rejected it they didn't communicate. They eventually took him to court and he needs to leave the property tomorrow. The council have said to stay until a bailiff kicks him out

It sounds like if the council can't find him anywhere by then he will be on the streets. He's unwell and he's really depressed and worried. He's turned to charities and done everything he can to get grants and help. He's in a new relationship too and he's anxious about this affecting that.

I just wanted to know if anyone has experience of this and is he likely to be housed? It's horrible having no answers and he's worked from 16 years of age and is now 49.

OP posts:

LIZS · 16/03/2022 07:51

Did you post last week? Has he followed any of the advice up? Ask Shelter, take his stuff to council tomorrow with the court order and declare self homeless. Are there any support charities for his health condition, mh, addiction etc? Do not take him in or he will no longer be homeless and never leave.

makingmiracles · 16/03/2022 07:53

Best bet is to contact shelter for advice but as far as I know once he’s been kicked out by the bailiffs he will need to contact the council and present as homeless, they will then try and find him temporary accommodation such as a hostel(this may be straightforward or not depending on where in the country he is and how much temporary accommodation provision they have)

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 08:45

Hi first time posting.
He has been in touch with shelter. Council and citizens advice. All are advising him to stay until he's thrown out.

OP posts:

MuchTooTired · 16/03/2022 08:48

He has to stay until the bailiffs come, otherwise the council will class him as intentionally homeless. It’s a shitty system for all, but that’s what he has to do.

Rainbowqueeen · 16/03/2022 08:50

Yes he has to stay until bailiffs come. Only then will the council house him.

Xpologog · 16/03/2022 08:53

The advice you’ve had is correct.
He moves out and goes to Council = he made himself homeless.
Bailiffs evict him, he goes to Council = Council has to act.
It’s essential he stays put, packs as much up as possible and waits for the Bailiffs.
Then he goes to the Council with paperwork Bailiffs will give him and essential luggage —- ID, medication, some clothes and toiletries.
Landlord has to grant later access to property to remove furniture etc…
It’s most likely hostel / B&B accommodation will be offered. It’s essential he stays put at Council and not say I’ll find friends/ sleep rough as he may end up on the streets.
It’s a dire situation. Depending on area he’s in he might be able to find a room let which would be cheaper.

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 09:21

It's so frustrating. He has a dog too which he will need to be housed with.

He has always worked hard and its like he's being punished for that. He's starting to feel his life has no purpose and suicidal due to all this. He's been given some free therapy sessions so I'm hoping they will help him.

Its so hard. What do you do with £650 a month when you are expected to pay out £1200. He's also got the council threatening to come round and take possessions because he's behind on council tax. All he's got in his home is a table. A bed. A corner table. Clothes. Music system and a few photos and a tiny television. He has absolutely nothing. He left everything behind when he separated from his last partner which was foolish of him in that respect. Trying to be a gentleman and decent he didn't want to leave her without.

We've also been using charity called the lighthouse Trust.

He's awaiting a decision from pip which will take months. The job center sanctioned him this month because he couldn't afford q taxi and walking was impossible on a particular day he had to see them. So they are taking £10.60 a day for 35 days.

The System is disgusting when you think how much tax he's paid and how hard he's worked. This has absolutely destroyed him and he has no idea how to get out.

OP posts:

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 09:24

It could
Be an issue getting his dog houses with him unfortunately. As heartbreaking as it would be i suggest he also looks at short term fostering for his pup. Cinnamon trust would be a good first point of contact for that. As I understand a lot of people with dogs end up on the street because they can’t be housed with them.

It is an absolutely appalling system.

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 10:10

I'd always take the dog for him if he ended up needing that. I can't squish him in my flat really as I have 2 children and no spare bedrooms. It's such a frustrating system. I don't understand how a person can be treated like this when they are injured through hard work and are wanting to go back to work as soon as they can.

He told me yesterday he's thinking he's 49 and he's got nothing. He isn't convinced there's much point starting again. Absolutely sad to hear. He's met someone in the last year with young children and she's supporting him too the best she can. She's wanting to start a life with him and some days he's positive but he's finding it impossible to get out this rut.

OP posts:

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 10:13

So is it u likely he'd get a flat or something to live in? How long do people end up in hostels etc for? He's quite venerable and without the support of myself and his partner I think he will go downhill. His girlfriend stays over with him 3 nights to help him and he heavily needs the support around him..

OP posts:

Minnie2012 · 16/03/2022 10:20

Hi OP,

Appreciate you say he has contacted the council, but has he actually made a ‘homeless application’?

I know the phrasing is horrible but it’s a legal process that will ensure he gets as much support as possible. You can also make the application if you’re going to be homeless, but aren’t homeless yet.

Everything then stems from this - if he has an application, he should have an allocated worker on his case. If they have a copy of all his ID and medical information and a copy of his eviction notice, they should already be in the process of finding emergency accommodation for him.

If he hasn’t made an application, he needs to do so ASAP.

Happy to help with anything he needs - I used to work in this area.

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 10:24

Oh that’s good re the dog.

Honestly the system infuriated me. There is so much money spent on ineffective bureaucracy that could be spent on actual interventions.

He is very fortunate he has your support.

MintyFreshBreath · 16/03/2022 10:36

Is there anyway he can work from home until he’s had his operation? I’ve seen many ads for virtual call centres working from home. Might help until the bailiffs turn up, if at all suitable.

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 10:42

He has filled out the form for homelessness yes and he's on the standard waiting list for a council house. But he's never likely going to have enough points for one of those.

He has had a string of bad luck really and the system takes so long to make decisions such as pip, he's just getting into debt left right and center. His gas meter is already £70 in debt (2 weeks of gas) his electric is forever going off. He's in agony and can't walk. He can't afford taxis. He's got hardware loose in his back on top of arthritis. He's got trapped nerves in his legs and gets shooting pains all down his body. He's going to bed depressed every night at 6pm.

This has been his life for 7 months.

We've reported his landlords as they didn't protect his deposit and they also have never done the gas and electric certificates. They have never serviced the boiler or had anything checked. Because he fell behind on the rent his ovens not worked for months and he can't afford to fix it snd because the Communication has broken down with the landlords he doesn't feel he can talk to them.

He's expecting them to turn up today or tomorrow in a group.

He's also got no vehicle so when he does have to get out he's going to need go hire a car or something. He is awaiting the ombudsman regarding the car as it was written off by a well known delivery company.

Its so hard trying to help him as I'm running out of ideas

OP posts:

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 10:46

Has he been to citizens advice re the bad landlord? If they didn’t protect his deposit that is good news for him long term as he can get money for that. But he probably doesn’t have the energy to take the steps to get that.

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 10:47

Has he tried the Salvation Army? I loathe their philosophy but on the ground I think they can be very helpful?

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 10:49

Emmaus might be able to help???

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 10:53

I'll look into anything that can help.
He's reported the deposit situation and awaiting a call. It's just taking forever. I told the council on his behalf and they filled a form out regarding certificates etc. But they haven't been in touch even though she said a couple of days. It's like nothing is coming together. I can almost understand why he can't see a point. Who wants to be in chronic pain and possibly housed with people he wouldn't be comfortable living with. No privacy. In a hostel or something when he's already sad and depressed and struggling. He just needs some understanding whilst he has his operation and feels he can work again. The more debt he's getting into the more he won't be able to get by because of poor credit etc. It's just ruining so much for him.

I'm just so sad for him and wish there was more support for him.

OP posts:

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 11:01

It’s awful. I went through a horrific period over a couple of years once where I couldn’t work because of ill health. I was outstanded by the lack of help. What saved me was I had money, skills (lawyer) and a massive sense of entitlement. But I remember thinking at the time if I didn’t have those things absolutely no one is coming to help me.

Hopefully he can struggle through this so he can get back on his feet when he’s out the other side. But it’s truly awful.

Hopefully he will find someone who can advocate for him within the system

Movingonup22 · 16/03/2022 11:02

What area is he in? There are often good local grass roots places that support - eg in Brighton there are quite good local places

Excuse my ignorance - but can’t he get housing benefit?

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 11:21

He's in Lincolnshire
He is self employed and first time unable to work. The job center changed him to unemployed though last week and they have got him to get a fit note.

The biggest issue he's had is because the GPS won't see anyone anymore he's been begging them over ask my gp for a referral and he managed to get a nurse to listen after 5 months. So he's been held up regarding that too. Just hold ups everywhere.

I've just spoken to him and he says he feels it's his fault all of this. It's just shocking this is how we treat people in this country.

OP posts:

AchillesPoirot · 16/03/2022 11:23

You have posted about him before.

You need to disengage and let him find his own rock bottom.

MadeForThis · 16/03/2022 11:46

If his landlord tries to forcibly evict him tell him to call the police.

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 13:46

@AchillesPoirot

It's a good Job not everybody is like you isn't it. How would you feel to be suicidal and at Rock bottom in agony loosing your home? Tell me how you would have avoided this situation yourself in your perfect world. Just be thankful you know where you are sleeping next week. Disgusting attitude

OP posts:

Original poster

Oranges121 · 16/03/2022 13:47

@MadeForThis thank you. I just want the next 2 days out the way so he can prepare. The council have not been in touch still today. It's so frustrating.

OP posts:

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