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Homeless-Emergency housing in BnB in castle point Essex

4 replies

AreDadsAllowed20 · 22/09/2017 00:25

Hello all, I need some advice please.
Myself and 2yr old daughter have been sofa surfing with friends for 7 weeks after I left my husband and wasn't able to stay in our home. I applied to the council (both southend and castle point) straight away and after nearly two months and constant badgering they have passed my application and it's now active so I can bid on properties. Castle point are offering a one bed as myself and daughter can share until she's 5 and southend are offering a two bed property. I say offering, they're not yet, they have put me on band C and offered me emergency accommodation which is in a BnB, which I move in on Tuesday. It has shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, I haven't seen it yet but have been told.
My questions were, once they put you in to emergency accommodation do you go up a band? Do you have to stay at the BnB every night, how long does it take for you to get housed in to a permanent council house and is it true that it's illegal to stay in a BnB with a child for more than six weeks?
Also can I still bid on two different councils for properties if one has temporarily housed me?
I have so many more questions but for now, can someone please shed some light on the situation for me???

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 22/09/2017 00:26

The guidelines say six weeks but in reality this is rarely kept to.
Yes if you don't stay every night you willnit be classed as homeless .

MyDcAreMarvel · 22/09/2017 00:27

*will not

bettycat81 · 22/09/2017 07:28

I think with so many questions you would be best to give "shelter" a call. They are really helpful with housing matters. Good luck OP x

Alfieisnoisy · 22/09/2017 07:44

Echoing the reply to contact Shelter who can definitely tell you .

If there is any optionI would advise holding out for a two bed place. As an ex health visitor in Basildon (not that far from you) I've seen people in your situation placed in a one bed flat 'until the child is five" still in the same place when the child is 8/9 because they can legally count the living room as sleeping accommodation. So if you get any choice hold out for the two bedroom place.

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