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Original poster

Social housing - mental health

177 replies

mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 10:53

At the end of October last yeah I was evicted from my private rented accommodation by being handed a section 21. Due to Covid we had 6 months to find alternative accommodation, I didn’t find this a problem as I was currently renting and thought I’ll just find something elsewhere! Boy was I wrong!!! I never managed to find a private rent accommodation through a landlord or estate agents as I’m unemployed!

I have 3 children, 7,4 10 months. I started a homeless request with the council in January and since then my mental health has declined rapidly, I’m not eating, sleeping etc and struggle daily with the stress and no stability. I have told the council this and have been given a therapist and anti depresents by my gp.

I received a call from the council 2 days ago to say I do not have to leave the property on my eviction date. My problem is that the unknown/no stability and stress is causing me massive problems with my mental health. And I struggle in a daily basis and fear that the longer this situation carries on for the harder I’m going to fall.

I’ve never suffered with mental health before so this is all new to me. My housing officers seem to just brush off my mental health and haven’t understood or even tried to understand that the prolonging of this housing is causing me a great deal of stress.

Not to mention I want to be the best mother to my 3 children. We’ve just started a referral for my eldest for autism/adhd as he suffers from ticks and also struggles with change so I need to give him warning of any changes.

I feel the council could rectify this whole situation and I my mental health can start improving once I have stability and all they need to do is remove me from this situation but I’m not getting anywhere and they’ve said could be 6 months could be 2 months they don’t know.

Has anyone else been through anything like this and got somewhere with the council?

I would love to rent privately again but due to being good unemployed and my income they won’t accept me. I am still looking for hope I do come a cross something though.
I hope no one thinks I’m expecting a house handed to me. I’m just expecting help to find a stable home for my family.

OP posts:
lakespring · 17/03/2021 19:44

The system where you have to stay until you are evicted by bailiffs to get council housing is a rubbish system for everyone tenants and landlords.

Not taking dc's mental health into account is also poor.

But in some areas there is almost no housing available and individual housing officers can't do anything about that.

ClashCityRocker · 17/03/2021 19:54

They should indeed take into account the impact on mental health.

Unfortunately, and as you've discovered, the process of being made homeless (especially with kids in tow) and having the uncertainty and lack of a plan that comes with being on the council list is hugely detrimental to mental health - so pretty much everyone is in the same boat, and therefore prioritisation becomes meaningless.

Keep pushing on the reallocation. Hopefully in the top priority group it won't be too long. It may also be worth contacting any local homelessness charities who may be able to signpost you to other organisations that can help, or at least have an idea of what the situation is in your local area and may have other avenues to explore.

I hope you get some clarity soon.

inmyslippers · 17/03/2021 19:55

What should they do to accommodate you MH situation? When the majority of applicants will be suffering ill health or ill mental health. Being threatened with homelessness is hard for anyone and drives a lot of people to illness, if they weren't already suffering. They have to follow a process

^^ the process needs throwing out. Peoples circumstances can change really quickly. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:10

@BrilliantBetty
Have you been through this?

OP posts:
Pennywithabow · 17/03/2021 20:12

Nextly, I’m a bit confused - you say you have no support and the dad isn’t in the picture, but then go on to say you can’t relocate as you live near family and their dad?

What a strange comment. It’s quite common for dads to visit their kids and see them etc and provide no support (emotional or practical or financial) to the mother of those children. You can live near the dad and still be alone in terms of support.

Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:13

@Wondermule excuse me? What’s my future plans for more children got to do with you? You’re extremely rude and judgemental.
The children enjoy going to their granny’s house and seeing their dad on the weekend!
I live outside of London.

OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 17/03/2021 20:17

I just want to make clear I’m not asking the council to house me immediately I’m asking for a plan of action.
However brutal it sounds; their plan is to house you if and when a property becomes available.

Wondermule · 17/03/2021 20:19

It’s not judgemental, it’s very sensible. You shouldn’t have more children until you can support them. Contraception is free and effective.

Given you are relying on public funds, I don’t think that’s such an outrageous statement.

inmyslippers · 17/03/2021 20:23

Given you are relying on public funds, I don’t think that’s such an outrageous statement.

^^ people in social housing pay rent...

Wondermule · 17/03/2021 20:26

@inmyslippers

Given you are relying on public funds, I don’t think that’s such an outrageous statement.

^^ people in social housing pay rent...

Yes but OP isn’t working so the rent will also be paid indirectly via public funds, unless I missed something? Plus it is subsidised
Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:26

@Wondermule
Considering I lost my job due to a pandemic because I was on maternity I don’t think that’s a fair statement to make. I’ve always provided for my children by working hard and they’ve never wanted for anything. UNFORTUNATELY I’ve been out into this situation which is a hard time for me as everything has happened at once.
And how do you know I won’t be finding a job once this has all settled.
I never said I was relying on public funds I have always been very good with my money
I have savings
I have a deposit to rent
I have the first months rent
But I do not have a monthly continuous income to be able to rent privately.
Don’t just assume

OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 17/03/2021 20:27

How did you lose your job whilst on maternity leave?

Wondermule · 17/03/2021 20:28

[quote mumofboysxo]@Wondermule
Considering I lost my job due to a pandemic because I was on maternity I don’t think that’s a fair statement to make. I’ve always provided for my children by working hard and they’ve never wanted for anything. UNFORTUNATELY I’ve been out into this situation which is a hard time for me as everything has happened at once.
And how do you know I won’t be finding a job once this has all settled.
I never said I was relying on public funds I have always been very good with my money
I have savings
I have a deposit to rent
I have the first months rent
But I do not have a monthly continuous income to be able to rent privately.
Don’t just assume[/quote]
I’m not assuming. Even with everything you have just said, another baby would be disastrous. Contraception is a suggestion to help your situation like any other suggestion.

Wondermule · 17/03/2021 20:28

@GreyhoundG1rl

How did you lose your job whilst on maternity leave?
I was wondering that.
daisyoranges · 17/03/2021 20:29

She doesn’t have to justify herself wondermule

GreyhoundG1rl · 17/03/2021 20:29

But I do not have a monthly continuous income to be able to rent privately
So you will not in fact be paying rent?

Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:30

@GreyhoundG1rl I was made redundant

OP posts:
Wondermule · 17/03/2021 20:31

@daisyoranges

She doesn’t have to justify herself wondermule
I didn’t ask her to. I made a sensible suggestion given she has three children already including a ten month old, and is facing a housing crisis.
GreyhoundG1rl · 17/03/2021 20:34

[quote mumofboysxo]@GreyhoundG1rl I was made redundant[/quote]
If this is true your employers have acted illegally and you can take action against them.

Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:34

@Wondermule
When my housing situation has been sorted I will have as many children as I want thank you for the advice though

OP posts:
Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:35

@GreyhoundG1rl
No they have not. You can be made redundant while pregnant and on maternity, you cannot be made redundant because You are pregnant or on maternity leave

OP posts:
Wondermule · 17/03/2021 20:37

[quote mumofboysxo]@Wondermule
When my housing situation has been sorted I will have as many children as I want thank you for the advice though[/quote]
Great. Hello universal credit, hello another thread complaining about how hard it is living on state support.

I wasn’t judging you or inferring anything with the contraception remark. With three kids including a ten month old, no resident father and on the brink of being homeless, why is that not a sensible suggestion?

Original poster
mumofboysxo · 17/03/2021 20:40

@Wondermule
Because a housing situation will not last forever. And I will have a home for myself and my children. I’ve never been on UC and I’ve always worked but again thank you for assuming. You also don’t need A father to raise children. My children are amazing and I’m very proud of who they are and they’re that way because of me

OP posts:
Bluebird2021 · 17/03/2021 20:42

so the kids DO have a relationship with their father....he needs to step up then. can his family help?

WallaceinAnderland · 17/03/2021 20:42

Could posters please bear in mind that OP has posted in mental health for support and is in an extremely distressing situation.