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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Council/housing association wait time for homeless?

199 replies

Maymoo99 · 19/10/2023 19:23

Can anyone around the derby/east midlands share there experiences or offer any advice on council housing waiting time?

I have become homeless in the last 6-7 weeks with my 21 months old toddler, currently sofa surfing in my disabled cousins which has been classified as severely overcrowded. The council has also set up a temporary pay-to-stay arrangement with my cousin to help with the costs of keeping me here. They have placed me in the highest band with a homeless need, severe overcrowding need and a minor medical need.

I have been bidding for the past 5-6 weeks and my bids have been positioning between 3-11 consistently. (Most properties have around 100 bids)

I cannot afford the upfront or ongoing costs of private rent as the average two bed around here is at least £800 per month and LHA only covers circa £450, and even if i could afford the demand for private rentals is very high with around 10-15 attending block viewings. I don’t stand a chance.

I suppose i’m just asking if anyone can share their experience and how long they’ve waited? I suppose at the least i’m just looking for some positive words.

Tia

OP posts:
Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 20:29

Anybody?

OP posts:
redastherose · 20/10/2023 20:47

No idea just bumping for you in the hope someone who knows s here.

Have the council not given you a likely wait time?

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 20:56

Thank you. They keep saying anytime now as i’m in the top ten but i feel like that’s council for “how long is a piece of string”. It’s frustrating not knowing when, i’m sure they could provide some sort of guide from previous applicants but refuse to.

OP posts:
MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 20/10/2023 20:59

Well I'd guess a year.

People coming in all the time and some will likely be above you

wetpebbles · 20/10/2023 21:01

We are Midlands has taken 6 months in category A with 3 moves from hotel- bedsit - flat to house

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:02

Thank you @MatthewsMumFromTikTok for your input. I really hope not i feel like my life is on hold

OP posts:
wetpebbles · 20/10/2023 21:02

Housing officer did say it would take 6 months so was correct

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:03

Thank you @wetpebbles , i can cope with the idea of months it’s just the thought of it being longer fills me with dread

OP posts:
Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:04

@wetpebbles they have set the pay to stay agreement (where they pay my cousin to keep me) for a 6 months period so hope that has some bearing as they won’t want to keep paying i hope

OP posts:
wetpebbles · 20/10/2023 21:04

Position 3-11 is really positive we were looking at a lot lower then bam one became available, fingers crossed for you!

wetpebbles · 20/10/2023 21:06

It might help if you pester your housing officer so they want to move you on

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:06

Thanks for positive words @wetpebbles, it’s so depressing and all you seem to hear on tv and radio is about housing crisis constantly reminded of this hell that im living

OP posts:
Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:08

Yes i think i may have to start pestering

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 20/10/2023 21:10

It will take however long it takes for a house to come ready to let, so someone has to die, surrender their home, move out voluntarily or be evicted… or anything in between and that’s if they don’t change their mind.

You’re asking how long a piece of string is, event the housing department cannot answer this questions for you!

Startyabastard · 20/10/2023 21:10

It's appalling that you are homeless with a toddler and they aren't helping you more!!!!
Christ, what is this country now???!!!

Startyabastard · 20/10/2023 21:11

I think the housing team are putting you on the back burner because you 'have somewhere to live'.

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:12

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend i am aware that no one can give a set date, i am just asking if anyone from the local area has been / is in a similar situation so i can get some idea

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 20/10/2023 21:13

It might help if you pester your housing officer so they want to move you on

Pester away they cannot magically make a noise available 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:14

@Startyabastard thats the strange thing, they offered me temporary accommodation miles away but said they would put me in a lower band which would take a lot longer. They had to persuade my cousin to let me stay here and said they would award the higher band

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 20/10/2023 21:15

You also have to realise the council have duty of care to house you, the HA does not.

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:17

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend yes i understand that, it’s just that in derby the council and HA run there allocations of one list. They act as a pool of landlords to form the home finder if you get what i mean

OP posts:
MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 20/10/2023 21:17

Startyabastard · 20/10/2023 21:10

It's appalling that you are homeless with a toddler and they aren't helping you more!!!!
Christ, what is this country now???!!!

Well as there are no properties what would you like the council to do?

Original poster
Maymoo99 · 20/10/2023 21:20

@MatthewsMumFromTikTok i understand that, just don’t no what else to do

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 20/10/2023 21:21

I understand that however only a small percentage of “council” applicants are offered accommodation based on their banding.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 20/10/2023 21:22

Have you tried other councils/HA