Refused temporary accommodation

[BabyMama2025]

so I am currently pregnant I did my homeless application in October and got offered a temporary accommodation on the 7th of November. However I refused it as the room was absolutely tiny literally just fits a bed. Of course I am grateful to be offered the help and roof over my head. But, how would I know how long I was in there not only that it was unsafe front door didn’t lock. Crazy man screaming and shouting in the shared kitchen. Writing on the walls saying theives work here. Google reviews of the place showing mould in the rooms. So yes not safe as I refused I explained to my council why and wasn’t offered anything else I have since been sofa surfing but I am due end of jan. my relief duty is now coming to a end and I’ve had no contact from the council. I have been trying to get private rent with the council but before I say I want it the lady says it’s now under offer 🙄 so she’s not very helpful in helping me find a place. I have been trying myself but I live in London so it’s incredibly hard. Anyway any advice on what may happen when my relief duty has finished ? I’m planning to email my housing officer and ask.but maybe they could dismiss my duty as I refused the temp accommodation. I am still with my partner too who works full time I have already started my mat leave

Maybe that’s true, but would you actually throw your children under a bus and have them living in temporary accommodation for seven years? What does that achieve that? Really sticks it to the Council doesn’t it?

If you both work full time you can surely afford a private rental studio or bedsit? Might be zone 5 not zone 2, it’s not a 3-bed house, but surely better than sofa surfing, especially when you’re pregnant.

Two people in full time work are never going to get to the top of the list for a council house. Maybe other social housing but still unlikely.

I don’t work at the moment as I’m on maternity leave. I will go back but DH earns enough that I wouldn’t have to.

No one should be forced out of the town they grew up in, where their support network is with a baby on the way because we as a nation are so greedy and pig headed.

I always suggest this site

http://www.amrp.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=68

Where is your partner living just now?

It would be helpful, in order for people to offer you some advice, to state how you became homeless? Did your LL sell the rental property you were in? Or were you evicted for non-payment of rent? Knowing the circumstances would help with what suggestions can be offered.

Personally, being pregnant, I'd not be relying on the council, I'd be getting a private rental ASAP otherwise you risk social services involvement once you're homeless with a baby.

Where does your boyfriend live? Is he sofa-surfing with you? What is he doing to proactively find somewhere for you and baby to live?

I didn’t want to be the one that said it, but yes.
You can’t sofa surf with a newborn it just won’t be allowed. You could get discharged but maybe the baby won’t be.

Can you and your DP relocate from London OP?
I've done a search for rentals near me (city in East Midlands) and there are lots of 1 and 2 bed properties for starting from £500

There isn't enough housing for Northerners let alone those from London.

Where were you living before you were pregnant
where are you living right now

where was your boyfriend living before you were pregnant
where is he living right now

was it just you that was offered the temp place
or the 2 of you as a couple ?

I really don't understand why you can't private rent with 2 full time incomes coming in what do you think everyone else does

btw What happened to the one bedroom flat that you and your boyfriend were accepted for in November ?

You're both working full time and yet you think you should take priority over people who have absolutely nothing?

Lots of women are sofa surfing and homeless with babies. If baby is safe, well looked after and not neglected its not an issue.

Street sleeping is a different kettle of fish of course

If you are both working full time then you privately rent surely? You will wait forever for a council house.

If you've not been paying rent whilst you have been sofa surfing then surely you have the deposit etc?

Have you spoke with your midwife about this issue? Is she aware you are homeless? Can she refer you to a social worker for support?

I don’t understand why, if both of you work full time, you are homeless.
, nor why you are expecting the council not only to find you accommodation but also pay for it

Is it possible that you can request a transfer to another area and the council there will do the same? Cheaper rents and hopefully you and your partner would be able to get work, even if it’s warehouse, packing, cafe/restaurant.
I can understand you not wanting the temp accommodation offered, it sounds awful and everyone should feel safe where they live.
Any family you can live near?

Massively empathise with you OP. My former colleague is homeless due to a relationship breakdown and she couldn't afford the rent on her own - she also works full time. She and her 3 teen kids are currently in a family homeless shelter - one room for them all and a shared kitchen with other people. It's horrendous and she's been there for months; she gets no peace and her kids are struggling too. There is nothing she can do other than wait for a house. The system is shite and totally broken yet there are developments popping up all over the country and whole new towns being built - clearly not enough social housing.
I can't offer any advice OP I wish I could, but I do empathise and send you good luck vibes that something turns up for you soon.

Well, that’s changed in my day. It was very much frowned upon even though I was going back to my mother’s house.

We as a nation are to blame for the op and her boyfriend’s choices because we’re greedy and pig headed?

When do you think people should start taking responsibility and making sacrifices for themselves?

I might be wrong but I’m an adults social worker and when people come to us for accommodation and they have children we explain we don’t have a duty to accommodate them, children’s do, but when I’ve referred on to children’s their social workers have said they only have a duty to accommodate the child. I think it’s risky to rely on the LA in that situation because you don’t want them to say you aren’t meeting your babies needs

@Heretobenosy

Absolutely - totally true. In many cases they will accommodate families as a whole, but it's not impossible they wouldn't especially if accommodation is being turned down due to its condition.

I previously worked in a team for those being placed in Emergency Accommodation and I personally didn't have a case where we removed the child as they were homeless. They did all have SS involvement though and were on plans as being in emergency accommodation can leave children at a disadvantage to thrive.

Your point is absolutely correct. However I don't think they will get any accommodation through any route other than emergency accommodation under children's services or private rent.

It’s a local authority duty to house homeless people, in a two tier area it would be the district that has the housing duty

What do you think a social worker should do? We can't magic up flats