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Lone parents

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Original poster

April 1st. Local Housing Allowance. Changes.

103 replies

LolaGraham · 30/01/2011 00:13

I haven't thought about what to type but I just want to put it out there that there are really vulnerable people affected by this gravely and disproportionatly. My daughter is very happy we have had it unbearably hard and delt with many unlucky circumstances to finally find happiness, her school that she is enrolled to join is just 'there', my university is also 'right there', my friends and family whom I depend upon are within reach BUT now due to this government we are being kicked right out in the name of the new LHA rates. The choice to go elsewhere is there however the choice to go elsewhere also has a lower than average rate which is unrealistic and rediculous, there will nolonger be anywhere to rent whilst youre on housing benefit.

It is my biggest ambition and dream to be a GP, at the moment the qualifications I have will just about get me a job in retail which cannot look after my daughter and I. I have nothing which is why I depend on college and university to give me a working life.

Am I a bad person for being single, low earner on benefits?
Should I feel disgusted in myself that my ex walked out when I was pregnant?
Does the word welfare mean you're less of a person.

I live in Camden, North London and for anyone who is nearby I would love to hear from you IF you are also affected. Also for those who dont quite understand the impact OR those who are viciously ignorant to the genuine people in need, this link is a written message to Parliamant by Camden council. Id really appreciate if you read. Maybe then all will understand why I and others have been holding our little ones tight and crying wondering what is going to happen to our little roof over our heads.

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmworpen/memo/hb/hb71.htm

Is there anyone out there with an answer? If not, thank you for reading.

a desperately scared single mum :(
x

OP posts:
Original poster
LolaGraham · 01/02/2011 14:41

Expatinscotland I dont understand your logic, please explain further where you think people on benefits should live and in which properties.

Let me explain something to you.

A) The LOCAL HOUSING ALLOWANCE rents have been reduced rents e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e; so that place down the road with the hoodies and the high crime rate that we'd all refer to as a ghetto BUT affordable is now guess what? yep not SO affordable any longer. Remember when the rate was 90per week for a 1 bedroom flat? Well guess what now its 55per week for example.

B) London does no longer have a turnover of housing association properies/council properties accessable to lower incomed families who NEED them. The waiting list in Camden for example is a 5-10year MINIMUM.

C) Camden council for example used all they could to avoid the case studies of homelessness by given people in such circumstances two options. a)Hostel or b)rent privately.

D) Even the hostels which is literally a overcrowded waiting ground for permenant cheaper housing IS at a minimum.

Ok so I'm glad that part is clear.

Its really sad, I really wanted to continue education and get a 'proper' job from it, one that paid a salary and looked after the both of us. But now I will just find any work and make do, it will have to be part time hours so it fits around my child; it will not provide us with any money other than making up the rent that has been cut. Maybe when times are not so dire I will get a chance to go back, I'll probably be graduating at 40yrs old and be paying the new lovely priced tuition fee's, how I will pay for that, plus my child...well the story continues doesn't it.

Its actually awful, my position is very common but there is a minority of people who are not able to work who have severe disabilities or illness. They NEED the system at it most. What will they do?

Here is that link that kept breaking...

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmworpen/memo/hb/hb71.htm

OP posts:
Original poster
LolaGraham · 01/02/2011 15:02

Oh also, now I have got a hang of the link thing I can show you more.

The LHA has released examples of the deduction differences.

They call this the 30th Percentile. Before the rates were the 50th Percentile. This mean for renting thats onlt 3/10 properties will be affordable in any which area as opposed to 5/10.

Again bare in mind that these capped limits: £250 a week for a 1 bedroom LHA rate

    £290 a week for a 2 bedroom LHA rate

    £340 a week for a 3 bedroom LHA rate

    £400 a week for a 4 bedroom LHA rate <strong>(maximum)</strong>

are calculated from the most expensive part of this country, Central London.
In this next link is only examples of the 30th Percentile difference in comparison to todays higher LHA rate.
www.voa.gov.uk/LHADirect/Documents/LHA_percentile_rates_Feb_2011.html

I'd suggest going onto a property website like www.rightmove.com, www.findaproperty.com and google the rates for the desired about of rooms in the area.

I hope I have explained this properly without coming across aggressive.

OP posts:
KalokiMallow · 01/02/2011 15:07

Not a lone parent, but struggling under the changes too. Just wanted to add my voice to this.

With the current rate of LHA we've had to top up about £50 per month of our own money, with the new rate we'd have to find another £50 on top of that. :( No idea how.

This is for a couple without kids. I don't dare imagine how hard it is for you lone parents.

PaigeTurner · 01/02/2011 16:45

I don't mean to be rude but surely one lives where one can afford? I would love to live in a flat in central London but instead I bought one in the "ghetto" (on my own) because that's what I could afford.

Now I've become a lone parent I'm apparently not entitled to help with my mortgage for my ghetto flat, even though I worked hard starting my own business and have paid the appropriate tax. If I were renting this wouldn't be a problem. Work that one out!

I don't see how you would be homeless OP. Round here there are lots of places which fit the new LHA budgets. Shit schools, granted, but that's where MY DS is going to have to go...

Original poster
LolaGraham · 01/02/2011 17:29

"one lives where one can afford" - when you have no dependents, not disabled or without a debilitating illness, not mentally challenged, have a low income or in education and the world is your working 'full time' oyster yup. I'd agree. Even more so when you're sharing the rent with a partner or flatshare, certainly.

I cant afford anywhere cos I'm not working.

I wish I had savings to set aside and buy a property and believe me I would buy on your street if I could escape all of the above. Sounds amazing and you are very lucky.

My landlord will not take any deduction. Hey I guess I could squat joke

OP posts:
Original poster
LolaGraham · 01/02/2011 17:31

P,s I wouldn't want to live in a flat in central London. Sounds like pound signs and asthma!

OP posts:
Jellykat · 01/02/2011 18:49

The other problem being 1000s will have to move surely,there just won't be enough affordable housing even in the areas Paige is talking about.

KalokiMallow · 01/02/2011 19:28

PaigeTurner If you cant afford to pay rent, how do you afford to relocate to a different BRMA?

Islandlady · 01/02/2011 19:49

A friend of mine works in Camden but cant afford to rent there she rents in a cheaper area and commutes in

So please tell me why she should via her taxes help pay for you to live in an area where she cant afford to live herself.

2dogs1baby · 01/02/2011 21:01

I agree with jellycat, the problem is 1000's will have to move or come up with a way to fill the new gap in their rent.

I don't think it's anyone's right to have a home in an exact location provided, but where I live there are now NO affordable two bed homes (which I am entitled to) ... The only place I can afford is a studio flat - that's with my new allowance for a two bed home!

That's simply crazy. The government thinks that they will force rent prices down, but it's basic supply and demand. Rental demand is the highest it's ever been, to think prices will decrease come April is just naive.

I've not gone to the daily mail but I am off to see my MP about it at the end of the week. I'm just interested in what exactly he thinks I should do now.

KalokiMallow · 01/02/2011 21:45

Island This is my situation right now. I live(d) in Herts/Beds, my family are in Berks (not the posh end), DH's family are in Middx/N.London. That's 3 areas I'm looking at, I have found maybe 1 property per BRMA (broad rental market area) within the LHA allowance.

We aren't talking people living in expensive areas in Central London struggling to find houses, we are talking people in all areas (even not very nice - therefore fairly cheap areas) struggling. The LHA is worked out in proportion to the average rent, it is already much lower than your average rent.

dadaz · 01/02/2011 21:50

Being single and living in poverty isn't anything to be ashamed of.

shadoweaves · 01/02/2011 22:06

Lots of ex-council flats in my borough which are under the new LHA cap, it's fairly easy to commute into the city centre. Lots of people consider it beneath them to move on to a council estate though, even if the flat is a private rental.

KalokiMallow · 01/02/2011 22:09

Where is that shadow? Right now I'll live anywhere just to have a roof over my head again, and not have to sleep on the floor.

expatinscotland · 01/02/2011 23:14

'But now I will just find any work and make do, it will have to be part time hours so it fits around my child; it will not provide us with any money other than making up the rent that has been cut. Maybe when times are not so dire I will get a chance to go back, I'll probably be graduating at 40yrs old and be paying the new lovely priced tuition fee's, how I will pay for that, plus my child...well the story continues doesn't it.

Its actually awful, my position is very common but there is a minority of people who are not able to work who have severe disabilities or illness. They NEED the system at it most. What will they do?'

But Lola, you're not one of those people who is so ill or disabled she cannot work at all.

And the question that is being asked is why should one person work at what they can and not get funded to get qualifications, but fund another person entirely to get very good qualifications?

Similarly, many, including those in government, are asking why it is okay for them to commute in, pay high rents and go to work but to subsidise another.

Millions of people have to 'find any work and make do'. If they want university education they have to go into debt and pay for it.

So why should you not as well?

To me, what's needed is an overhaul of private tenancy laws rather than these caps, but the government doesn't agree, and they're running things now.

You're articulate. You'll need to use that to find a new place to live.

I understand being angry or upset, we're working poor and get screwed at every opportunity by this government and won't ever be able to buy a home or move out of this dump.

But they're not going to change their minds because they don't really care.

2dogs1baby · 01/02/2011 23:21

Phew, that was very depressing expatinscotland!

expatinscotland · 01/02/2011 23:36

It is depressing, 2dogs, but it's how it is.

If you want to be a GP you're going to have to pay for it, at least partially, well, it's nothing to the rich.

But for everyone else that is going to be reality and tbh, those no good way for hte government to start exempting large groups of people based on any other circumstance by income because that's not really fair for middle-earners, whose children will also need to take on big debt for university qualifications.

The caps, well, they're going to happen. The government will pay the price, but they won't backtrack on any of this, Osborne said as much just last week.

People who can't make up the shortfall in their rent will need to make other arrangements or go the homeless route.

Actually, the people who will most likely be affected by this is the working poor.

TwiceUponATime · 02/02/2011 00:47

dadaz Tue 01-Feb-11 21:50:49
Being single and living in poverty isn't anything to be ashamed of.

what?

I have no shame but it is horrible, exhausting, discouraging, and bloody scaring too (dc future? illness?)

swallowedAfly · 02/02/2011 07:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

2dogs1baby · 02/02/2011 15:07

Do you not think that people deserve to achieve even if they are a single parent?

I left my partner because I had no choice. All along I have been planning on returning to uni from September to qualify to become a maths teacher.

I don't want to go to uni instead of spend a year with my DD but I have no choice, this will give us the best future. Just because I'm on my own doesn't mean I now don't deserve to become a teacher.

In my opinion I need to governments help for 18months of my life, then I will be teaching & paying the money back for over 40 years.

I don't think anyone should accept living somewhere rubbish, rubbish schools for year children & having no ambition fulfilled in their lives. You have to fight to achieve and do better.

This government is cutting everything that doesn't affect them. In the news they can say it's only a couple of pounds a week but we all know for some people it's the difference between having somewhere to live & not.

expatinscotland · 02/02/2011 16:53

'I don't think anyone should accept living somewhere rubbish, rubbish schools for year children & having no ambition fulfilled in their lives. You have to fight to achieve and do better.'

Exactly, the onus being on you.

People have the right to achieve what they want, within the bounds of the law, no matter what their circumstance, they just can't expect the government to fully fund them to do so.

Those days are over.

Jellykat · 02/02/2011 17:14

My god,expatinscotland,think long term..

If a person receives a loan via tax payers' money, to go to uni for 2 years to get better qualifications, they will get a better paid job,and put more tax back into the system!

It's an investment for the future, or are you now saying student loans and grants for low and middle income families should be scrapped, and only the rich kids should study??

expatinscotland · 02/02/2011 17:23

I'm not making the rules here, Jellykat. The Tories are. I didn't vote for them, either.

And this is not about student loans, which have to be paid back.

This is about someone who wants to continue living in a very expensive part of London completely at taxpayer expense and is obviously in a flat that's large enough to move someone in (but she won't because then she'll lose more benefit). That can't continue and it won't because the government changed the rules.

She either finds a way to make up the shortfall in the rent or moves on. Happens all the time for the working poor, too, we've had to move on due to rent hikes. It's not pleasants, but what to do, we don't own, the landlord does.

That's how it is.

At no point did I even bring up loans. Lots of people will need to take those out to go to university.

C'est la vie!

The Tories are not going to change their minds. It's a done deal.

expatinscotland · 02/02/2011 17:26

No shame in being on benefits, it's just that the rules have changed now and people have to go along with that, be it those who are losing Child Benefit or tax credits or those who will be affected by housing caps or people who are moved onto JSA from some other benefit.

Islandlady · 02/02/2011 18:48

Oh jellykat you are so wrong
My Plumber DS pays top rate tax at age 24
when he started his own business he needed
tools of the trade

This included Driving lessons which he and I paid for

A van which he and I paid for

Plumbers tools which he and I paid for
and eventually office premises which he paid for himself - he got no tax payer handouts.

Yetnow whining students want him to pay for the tools of their trade IE qualifications

Yes its off topic but it had to be said

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