Disabled child receiving chemo treatment every week for chronic illness, threatened to become homeless if I can't find another place to stay. Can the council and hospital professionals do something?

[LolaMacbeth]

Can that happen? I have been trying to speak with the hospital to explain the situation but it feels like no one cares.
Since the beginning of January, I have been declined so many times for private property. I can prove I can pay rent, but the downside I am a single parent, so I get why they would prefer 2 adults instead of one.
I have spoken with the council but they said the only thing they can do is move in banding for social housing if I can prove the house condition affects my child, which I am trying to but the hospital is so slow. And even with proof, there's no guarantee of anything. I don't think we will be priority either. I have spoken with so many different people, secretaries, and consultants, they keep postponing writing me a letter stating that my immunocompromised child can't live like this let alone become homeless. I don't know what else to do.
Yes, I've tried Shelter, no response, I've spoken to a solicitor about the housing situation. Told me I needed to wait until the last minute to become homeless, so the Council could help. I don't want that. Spoke to Citizens Advice, not helpful... My child is in therapy as well, surely she shouldn't go through witnessing becoming homeless for someone's help?

I don't have any advice but sending empathy and a hug. It sounds like a nightmare situation for you. Where do you live?

Who's saying the house isn't suitable? Can't they call housing?

I'd try your MP. They can sometimes work marvels cutting through this sort of clogged mess.

Sorry op...I'm a bit confused. Where are you actually living now?

Can you refer yourself to the local EHASH/MASH service? my friend has an Early Help worker due to facing homelessness with a young child. They've been able to help with the council banding and puy her in touch with Supported Housing Associations

Your GP should be able to provide evidence surely, and contact your MP too.

Where are you staying now? If your child is disabled and receiving treatment then yes they will be a priority but it all depends what housing is available. Would you stay in a hostel or hotel if the council provided it or are you wanting a house or flat straight away. Housing in this country is very hard to get and most people wait years sadly.

My housing condition was making my sons illness worse (he has mobility issues and we were in a first floor flat).

The council wanted an occupational therapist report to show what my son required from a property before re banding me. The local authority were taking an age and I was struggling with carrying him so paid for a private report.

We were rebanded and housed within three months.

As all housing policies are different I read through ours and ensured the OT laboured on the parts that would mean we went into the highest band.

Appreciate paying for a private report may not be achievable but I would definitely look through the housing policy fully and see if there are any parts that would support you.

Best of luck

Sorry, I just realized left a lot of things out. I rent privately from a landlord who is currently selling, we've lived in the property for a few years and the house always needed repairs. As of now, it rains inside because of a leak in the ceiling. Some walls are also in a very bad state caused by rising dampness, the landlord was always notified but never did anything, ignoring my messages. Now wants access for selling because he is in big trouble with selective licensing. I have been trying to find somewhere else but no luck. I just need help.

Op...I'm not an expert and you need to check obviously but I always thought the council make you wait until you're actually evicted and then you have to present yourself as homeless to them?

Also just to add one of the things the OT said my son needed was a wet room, this was the main reason I was given the property I am currently living in so you may well be a higher priority than you think obviously dependent on what your child requires.

I was really persistent with the council as well and I do believe they wanted rid of me which may have helped.

The LGSCO (ombudsman) also helped with my case as the council had made some errors when bending me initially but this was time consuming although I was given compensation so it was worth doing.

I know McMillan is a cancer charity but they might be worth a call.

If they can't help directly I'm sure they can provide details of other organisations who may be able to help.

Get in touch with your local councillor and get them on the case.

have you tried contacting Crisis?

Sorry I've just thought of another thing, with our council if you present as homeless and you are still in the property you are placed in the lowest band so it's not always the best way to go. If your child has health issues you would be better to use that route. Obviously your council may not do this with homeless applications but definitely check. Their housing policy will be on their website.

There’s such a massive housing shortage now. It’s really concerning. It depends on your specific area, how bad it is. The council won’t leave you on the streets though. You have a child so will at the minimum get a hotel room but I agree you should be a higher priority.

Yes I’d self refer to early help in your local area - MASH via social services. Sounds stressful for you both.
Im assuming your current landlord has asked you to leave- unfortunately the usual advice is wait for the court summons to evict. Do you have a social inclusion team? What about the hospital your son is under they usually have social workers attached.🌺

I understand, I've been waiting for 8 years, but now I really need it :(
I work in a hotel I see homeless families every day and speak to them, I know how the situation is, but my child receives chemo every week, I have a little medical station in my room with her injections, shard bucket, her other medication apart from the chemo. She receives psychological help as well every 2 weeks as her condition got her depressed. I would like a house even if it's just 1 bedroom I'll take it. At least she would have a room.

I would imagine they'd put you in temporary accommodation but that your DC's medical needs would put you in a high band. It's a terrible state of affairs

What chemo treatment do you mean? Do you mean like an anti TNF like infliximab, or an immune suppressant like azathioprine, or do you mean actual chemo for cancer?

Contact PALS to chase the hospital and your local MP. MPs can be surprisingly effective, particularly in an election year.

If you're in London I can recommend a great charity.

You might have more luck with a local Councillor rather than your MP, I've found them pretty effective in the past

Wishing you luck x

is the hospital consultant aware? Yes they can write a letter of support. It is totally inappropriate for someone to vulnerable on chemo to be in this situation.

I know it's stressful, but it is correct that they can't/won't do anything until it happens. Lots of situations where people are at risk of becoming homeless don't end up in homelessness - landlords can change their minds, fail to follow the eviction process meaning you get to stay longer, sales fall through, an investor might buy with a sitting tenant, you might find somewhere private rented in the meantime. If you multiply that by the number of people who seek housing, you can understand the scale of the issue and why the council won't take action unless it's actually happened.

If/when you end up in position the council are required to take your child's health needs into account and the likelihood is they would try and get you into self contained temporary accommodation as soon as possible (ie rather than a hotel or b&b) But it is a really shitty situation having to wait to be able to access emergency accommodation, there is such a shortage/high demand that it's near impossible to be rehoused based on health needs without being actually homeless (unless meeting specific criteria such as accommodation for over 55s)

Sorry just read your original post properly and you’ve been trying. I would go with either the GP or go back to consultants secretary and explain the urgency of the situation. I’m really sorry this is happening x