I am single living with 2 of my own children and my 2 nieces who I have had an SGO for, for now 6 months. I rent a property which my brother (nieces father) owns and have been living at this property for about 5 years.
Initially I didn't see any issues arising from this however myself and my brothers relationship has deteriorated due to me having to impose my authority in regards to certain aspects of my nieces lives such as changing their schools and I am not very comfortable with him at the moment as he is constantly complaining about financial issues and asking to borrow money from me saying I can afford it as Im getting a fostering allowance and even now asking for my rent to be paid early to cut a long story short I would prefer not to be living in a property owned by him and would feel far more in control if I could limit his influence in my life.
The children are with me primarily because of their mum's drug /mental issues but my brother also has substance misuse issues this is why the children are nof in his care.
So I would like some advice about what my options are and if I would have any priority on the social housing register.
My rent up until now has been partially paid with housing benefit and as far as I know having 2 extra children living with me does not make me eligible for more bedrooms in the LHA. The home I live in has 3 bedrooms and 2 reception rooms. My son has the box room (converted from a walk in wardrobe), I have a room, my daughter and younger niece share and the older niece sleeps in the living room. So I am concerned that if I am only entitled to LHA for a 2 bed property that moving into another private rental that it will be a very tight squeeze plus it seems to be so difficult renting whilst on housing benefit as every estate agent just says no.
So what I want to know is am I correct in thinking my LHA and bedroom allowance remains the same despite taking in 2 extra children and if I was to get in contact with somebody from the LA would I have a good case in getting priority for council housing which would be in the same area so I can be close to the childrens schools/can they even help me out is this something solely done through the housing department.
Thankyou for any responses