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Original poster

Please can anyone help with regards to re-housing and the council?

80 replies

misdee · 25/05/2004 19:39

we have applied for a transfer. dh has been awarded 50medical points so with our 30points this puts up in a very good positin for rehousing. unfortunatly the council has decided that the 50points can only go towards a ground floor property. there are only around 12 3 bed ground floor flats/bungalows which are owned by the council. so basically we are stuck here, in a 1st floor masionette which my dh cant cope with as he is breathless. the last few weeks have been hell as we havent had a car so dh doesnt go out much as it exhausts him so much. I have explained to the council that all we really need is a house with a toliet on both levels, and suitable parking close by. I tried phoning social services to see if they could help, they dont get involved in housing needs, they gave me a number to speak to housing needs at the local council, who in turn put me back thro to my housing officier who i have explained all this too. doesw anyone have any advice? apprently a letter has been sent out, but i know we are going to have a battle on out hands to get a suitable place, and all the time dh is feeling worse. if we really need a ground floor property like they say we do, why only give him group b points (50) instead of group a (150)?

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Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 17:36

sorry that line should read

'housing officier can round today, and started saying we should take a flat, as bungelows go to elderly peopel and there is an extra £10 a week rent for having a warden system in place, which 'we may not need'. excuse me?? my dh is disabled, he has high rate mobility and low rate care, has a blue badge and can barely get upstairs, and she tells me we wont get a bungelow. and surely my kids needs come into it as well? stoopid woman.

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noddy5 · 26/05/2004 17:36

It is terrible trying to get people to take heart problems seriously when the sufferer is young.We wanted to buy a bungalow so that I didn't have to do stairs but it was 1 road out of the catchment for ds's next school and the council said we couldn't have special rules for us.We are now moving to a house as there are no bungalows close to the school but at least I can just go in the door to the house rather than up stairs to the flat.Get your doctor involved you shouldn't have to put up with this c**p

Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 17:44

atm dh cant get to the gp's as our car isnt sorted yet (last once was crushed by a lorry back in april so we are waiting for mobility car to be ready should be ready next week), and its too far a walk away. the council are saying a flat would be ok, but to get into a flat, u have to park in a car park, walk across, get thro secruity doors, then to front door. so a fair old walk. at least with bungalows and houses most of them have a driveway so he cant get out of the car and rest inside. and i really cant deny my kids a garden any longer, its just not fair. plus they drive me mad inside all day.

The people in the flat over the rd have moved out today, bet they were able to have a house. all i want is somewhere where dh will be bale to lvie comfortably, and my kids to have a bit of garden to play in. not too much to ask is it?

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noddy5 · 26/05/2004 17:46

no it isn't?Can I just ask you what medication he is on as I have had a long running battle with my doctors about medication as opposed to surgery

Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 17:50

frusimide, warfarin, spirolactone, bisoprilol, ramipril, digoxin, salbutamol, becotide, fexodrenline(spelling?). also has blood tests every 1-6weeks, plus exercise tests and regular check ups.

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Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 18:02

oh yeah, nutty. i have contacted all the HA in the yellow pages, most are closed lists at the moment, one is going to call me back tomorrow to do an 'over the phone assessment' then a home visit. one has said to call back in 6 weeks as they should have something available in the area then. the rest will be dealt with via the council list.

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Nutcracker · 26/05/2004 18:07

Misdee, the one that told you to ring back in 6 weeks, make it every 2 weeks. They don't know what will happen in 2 weeks and you could leave it 6 and then miss out.

Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 18:10

will do.

i really dont know how you did it u know. i am about 3 days into the battle for a suitable house and it is draining. part of me is still coming to term with dh condition 2yrs on, cant belive we cant have a house. he refuses to belive it at times too.

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Nutcracker · 26/05/2004 18:18

I don't really know how i did it either. I certainly would of given up without the support of Mners.

I felt like giving up loads of times, but you have to go on and fight for what should be yours.
It took me 2 years before i had 1 offer, but that 1 offer will change mine and my families life, and that is worth fighting for.

If ever you feel down about it or need to have a rant i'd be happy to listen

Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 18:36

I have found the name of the HA who will be in charge of the bungalows which are earmarked for 'elderly' resisdents. its Paradigm, and people will be nominated thro the council list. guess we better fake dh age then!

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Nutcracker · 26/05/2004 18:39

Well i don't think they should only be available to the elderly, especially given you're circumstances.

Are they allowed to just offer them to the elderly, surley thats ageist or something.

Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 18:42

that is the block we are up against. there are 54 homes being built on one site, 21 will be bungalows, which are earmarked for elderly. on another site 12 bungalows will be built, bit only ONE will be disabled adapted. feel like hitting head against brick wall!

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Nutcracker · 26/05/2004 18:49

Only one, thats disgusting IMO

As far as that goes, the only thing i can think of is contacting the mp and see what they have to say about it.
If you know one will be for disabled though, then just go for it. Everytime you speak to the coincil make them aware that you know about it and that you think you should get it. They will tell you a load of crap about how it's already been allocated or some other load of rubbish, but never ever believe them until you can see for your self that it's been occupied, and then complain like mad.

I found it hard cos i hate complaining and making a nusience of myself, but you have to, it's the only way.

Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 18:53

that is disgusting isnt it.

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Original poster
misdee · 26/05/2004 18:54

The thing ism he doesnt need an adapted bungalow, just a home on one level. but he isnt old enough for them. i know 70yr olds with better hearts than dh.

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Original poster
misdee · 27/05/2004 10:50

oh ffs. we now have to rpove dh need for a bungalow by going to a panel who will decide our needs, as we have to prove to be an exception to the rule. just because he isnt old!!

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Tortington · 27/05/2004 16:18

why can you not accept a house and have adaptations?

if you situation is really desperate - tellt hem you will accept a house and then get them to put in adaptaions - it may work out a quicker process than waiting years, as in worst case scenario - you will have to wait until budget round in april

Original poster
misdee · 27/05/2004 16:22

i have asked if we can have a house which can be adapted. the points he has been awarded are for a ground floor property only. so they are saying we can only use his points towards that otherwise they will remove them.

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noddy5 · 27/05/2004 17:13

He will have to lay it on really thick as they really don't believe you when you're young.I was also told my heart was aged 70+ but the council still said my son could only go to the school if we lived in certain roads.Have you spoken to the cardiomyopathy association?They may be able to help.

Original poster
misdee · 27/05/2004 20:24

will ring them tomorrow.

i have just been to look at the g/f 3bed flats round here and most of them have huge gardens. which i may consider. but i have p*ssed off my housing officier with the amount of calls i have made.

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Nutcracker · 27/05/2004 20:40

You need to p**s them off, that way they won't forget you are there.

Original poster
misdee · 27/05/2004 21:29

would this work?

a friend is a family support worker with SS. she has said that she wil lwrite a letter saying that she knows us on a personal basis not professional, and is going to try and put it to them that my dd need a safe garden due to ongoing health issues. dd1 has asthma and she says she shouldnt be walking alongside main rds etc to get a a place to play. dd2 has walking issues which are being seen to at the hospital shortly, and she feels that she would benefit from a safe play area in order to strengthen her legs and walking ability.

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Nutcracker · 27/05/2004 21:34

It's definatly worth a try. My h.v wrote a similar letter for me. My Dd2 has asthma and she mentioned several reasons why our property wasn't suitable, and she also stated that she thought Ds's development could be delayed due to not having enough room to play properly.

Any letters you can get off anyone are worth handing in.

Oh and make sure you keep a copy as they often lose them.

gothicmama · 27/05/2004 21:35

this would strengthen your case have spoken to friend who works in supported housing an dshe says get as many rferealls ad poss na das much evidence as you can to gain points and constantky question the HA or council also the needs of teh family unit should be taken into account as well as DH's just keep phoning or going in - good luck

Original poster
misdee · 27/05/2004 21:38

ok, my friend is actually my younger sister. she doesnt have to mention this as long as she says she knows us on a personal note, is that right?

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