Council House advice

[Akkhan94]

Hope everyone is well. I am a Mommy of a ACC baby . It means Agenisis of the corpus collosum. My son is a bit delayed in development. He is going to be 4 in August and I am struggling with his potty training. If you look at him he seems perfectly normal but living with him is a story for another day . Anyway we live with my inlaws and my son finds it hard coping. When my family (my inlaws have a large family ) come over , he can't tolerate it . He starts crying and screaming, banging doors and throwing toys and becomes very upset. He needs his own place. My husband can't afford a house and I don't work, I am a SAHM to two boys. We have applied for social housing but I'm currently on position 105 200 on flats , and on houses its in 400s and 300s. Could anyone advise us how to go up the band ? We are on band c and we really need the house 🏡

We live in Birmingham uk

There's no quick route up unfortunately

Have you looked into a private rental?

There is no way to fraudulently move yourselves up bands.
You're housed... There's many that aren't..
They put those in most need before those with less need.

Or, to put it another way, being very blunt.

There's kids living in single rooms with their entire family who are struggling more than your kid, housing you because your son is a bit uncomfortable before housing a homeless kid would be ridiculous.

Now, that being said, look on RightMove.
Occasionally housing associations rent homes through right move, you'll have to be quick to get the application filled out etc but it is possible.
you may have to move areas or to a house you don't love or to an area you do t love etc etc. But thems the breaks.

How does that work? X

No advice on the bands, sorry. Although you feel you need a house, the families on more urgent bands will get priority, so while the lists may work out eventually, it's better to look at private renting, perhaps in more affordable areas - a big city like Birmingham will have a lot of pressure on its lists. You must surely have been able to save up a decent amount by living with in-laws. Can you go to work when your DS starts school?

There a form you can fill in for disabilities that will give ya a few more points

You can ask your son’s consultant to write an advisory letter setting out the impact of the living situation on his health, and why it isn’t sustainable for you all to be living in overcrowded accommodation with family. That may gain you some additional housing need points on health grounds.

However, the reality is that due to a shortage of social housing, virtually everybody accepted onto the housing register will have some level of vulnerability or health needs, and many people will be a higher priority.

You might find it easier if you relocate. Council houses are easier to get in some areas. I know Bham is not an easy area to get housed.

If you don’t work can your husband find a job somewhere else so that you can move?

Depends on your area my area doesn’t do “points”

Where were you living before you decided to have two children?

If you can't afford to rent somewhere, anywhere on one salary then you will need to get a job as well.

So the only issue is when the large family gathers?

Op does not mention other issues such as overcrowding.

Is the child's condition classed as a disability?

Thanks for the advice. I understand there are less unfortunate people out there. I will try to get a letter from the paediatrics.

Have you checked you have the correct banding/points? you may be entitled to points based on your sons medical conditions.

Don't get your hopes up with a letter!!

Everyone above you is likely to have had a similar'letter'

Yes we are overcrowded by one room . No i have issues with family as well. My son doesn't understand and will break things and our walls have all pencil and crayon marks so there is constant bickering between us .

Points ?

I know it's an annoying Mumsnet thing to suggest but might you be able to work in the evenings or whenever you husband is home from work. I understand that might not be a practical solution. So please ignore if it isn't.

I can't work till my son goes to school full time . Simply because he requires full time care and I'm the only one who can look after him .

Getting a letter from the paediatrician won’t do much. You can fill in a medical form which is attached to your bidding application if you haven’t already done so already?

I’m in Band B and due to my son’s genetic disorder we’re not able bid on Level Ground Floor Priority flats. This doesn’t do much but when there’s a priority flat, we can come anywhere between 11th - 40th as opposed to place 200/300. Something is better than nothing though.

It’s hard to increase your band, usually your banding doesn’t ever change. You can go through the homeless route but most Local Authorities will keep families in Band C whilst in temporary accommodation. I left temporary accommodation and was placed into a private property. The deposit was paid by the council and they negotiated a lower rent price for me. I’m now in Band B because I took a private property instead of taking up space in temporary accommodation. My rent gets paid by UC.

Are you overcrowded? Your best bet is probably going though the homeless route but even then, you won’t get a council flat straight away

He's 4? So school will be in sept?

Any reason Dad can’t care for him in the evenings?

@Akkhan94 So your son’s father can’t look after him? Why would you have children with someone who can’t look after your children? I appreciate that your child has a disability but that is very wrong.

He's four so will start school in September? So you can get a job then, and then find a private rental.

Or could you work at weekends and your husband look after him

Also your health visitor can support your application .

Dad can't handle him. When he throws his fits I'm the only one who can calm him down. He starts banging his head .