So I had my baby 30/09/2024 & four months prior to this I was awaiting accommodation from my housing and the most reasonable option other than a hotel out of London was to private rent. I was looking whilst pregnant and didn’t have much luck as not many places accept DSS as I’m sure everyone is aware. However whilst I was still in hospital I sent a email to the housing stating I need an address for when I leave hospital and that I have no where to go. Luckily enough the same day (after four months of not getting help from them) I was offered a place in Lewisham, Catford on top of a shop. As I had no where to go with my son I accepted, managed to agree to tenancy etc.
One week staying in the property I noticed there was a lot of drug users on the stairs which lead up to the property. As I can’t take baby out in pram due to loads of stairs I have to carry him to the shops with me, on our way out a man who was smoking drugs blew what smelt like crack/heroin in our faces! Bear in mind my son is barely one month at this time and I’m 20 a young mum and avoided confrontation so I left it. The next week I noticed five of them down there doing drugs but also breaking my gas meter box as it’s outside in the alley. I took pictures of the broken wood and lights that they left on floor & was noticed taking pictures and was told by one of them if you take another picture I’ll come up there and smash your face in. I of course reported to the police who had a investigation ongoing and told me I should never have been placed here as there is a big drug problem and the place I was staying wasn’t suitable or safe to have nor raise my child with the drug users/ feces on the stairs/ strong smell of urine in alley etc.
Two weeks later I woke up to my front door being almost kicked of my son woke up screaming and I went to the door that was practically falling off out of the wall frame and cracked. It was my neighbour who lives upstairs, a lady who has mental health issues and a alcoholic I can only assume as I always hear banging and screaming from upstairs she said to me when I got to the door “DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS TRYING TO R*PE ME” but she was the only one up there and always is when she is shouting and screaming. I called the police of course as my door wouldn’t open or close and was practically falling out of the frame. When they arrived they mentioned she had mental health and that it wouldn’t be seen as criminal damage so I should call my landlord to come fix for the safety of me and my child which I done. Not my landlord but a repair man came and drilled the screws back in door so I could open and close but left it still out of door frame and left the crack. Now I have reported to my housing as the landlord works with the council with properties. The landlord agreed to end my tenancy early after one month but only with permission from the housing, but I am being told if I leave I am making myself intentionally homeless despite me have multiple crime reference numbers and safety issues. So now if I leave I have no where to go and they have said they won’t be able to help me. I don’t feel safe here and I’m scared to even leave my house. What do I do?