Page 13 | Friend who went through DV now faced with homelessness and losing her kids

ConcernedCitizenUK · 2023-12-04T21:41:21+00:00

Hi everyone, I am supporting a friend who is really struggling and we don't know where to turn to for advice and support. Trying my luck here. She went through an abusive marriage and has 2 small kids. She left him and got a non molestation order on him and went to the police. They had a council house but it was in his name, so she left and went to a council to declare homelessness. Her previous council home was a nice 2 or 3 bedroom house but the council offered her a small council flat. Unfortunately she received some really bad advice that she should be firm and refuse the property and the council will get her a bigger house. She did that and the council banned her from being on the housing list and declared her "intentionally homeless". She had a social worker to support her and also spoke to her local MP for help. But the MP seemed more interested in trying to take the children off her than help her (a tory MP). The social worker organised hotels for a few weeks and tried to change the councils minds and then now have said they will no longer fund hotels and if she doesnt find housing by tomorrow they will take her kids and put them in foster care. I have tried contacting journalists, womens aid charities like Refuge, Womens aid etc. They dont even respond. Womens refuge charities will not help, since she is not in immediate danger, as she left her ex a while ago now. I have no idea where left to turn to get her help. I am talking to all these people on her behalf and she is also talking to citizens advice etc and we cant find any help at all. Any suggestions on what to do or who can help?

Eglatina · 10/12/2023 10:13

I agree as a longer term plan it would be sensible to look at further afield but currently it's a bit irrelevant, as this person doesn't have a local connection in another area. She would have to find work first, then somewhere to live, all of which takes time and planning and is something this women doesn't appear to have.

There is also something to be said about someone fleeing domestic violence in maintaining their local support network.

In anycase @ConcernedCitizenUK I think due to my recent Googling, I've just had this article pop up in my feed: https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/autumn-statement-local-housing-allowance-raise-benefit-jeremy-hunt/

So JH has finally listened to the concerns of all the major homelessness charities and is increasing the LHA in his autumn statement to meet the botttom 30% of market rates. This is good news. I'm not sure when this will come into effect but I think should you be able to help your friend in the short term secure something as you plan to, hopefully it won't be too long before the new LGA rates are applied and her HB will catch up and she'll be able to stay there longer term. Or plan a move to a cheaper area should she wish!

Chancellor announces raise in local housing allowance for first time in three years

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faced pleas from anti-poverty and housing campaigners to increase local housing allowance at the Autumn Statement.

https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/autumn-statement-local-housing-allowance-raise-benefit-jeremy-hunt

Original poster

ConcernedCitizenUK · 10/12/2023 12:37

Eglatina · 10/12/2023 10:13

I agree as a longer term plan it would be sensible to look at further afield but currently it's a bit irrelevant, as this person doesn't have a local connection in another area. She would have to find work first, then somewhere to live, all of which takes time and planning and is something this women doesn't appear to have.

There is also something to be said about someone fleeing domestic violence in maintaining their local support network.

In anycase @ConcernedCitizenUK I think due to my recent Googling, I've just had this article pop up in my feed: https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/autumn-statement-local-housing-allowance-raise-benefit-jeremy-hunt/

So JH has finally listened to the concerns of all the major homelessness charities and is increasing the LHA in his autumn statement to meet the botttom 30% of market rates. This is good news. I'm not sure when this will come into effect but I think should you be able to help your friend in the short term secure something as you plan to, hopefully it won't be too long before the new LGA rates are applied and her HB will catch up and she'll be able to stay there longer term. Or plan a move to a cheaper area should she wish!

This is actually fantastic news. Thanks for sharing this

OP posts:

Original poster

ConcernedCitizenUK · 10/12/2023 12:39

Eglatina · 08/12/2023 23:59

Really? Quick search on rightmove for £700-£800 brought up around 20 properties, and they were mostly student houseshares or for over 55s and the odd one in Southampton, Portsmouth, Canterbury, Norfolk and the Isle of Wight! There are cheaper areas in most regions of course, but the market certainly isn't flooded 🤷‍♀️ how many local authorities in the south east? And you can't switch authority areas unless you have a local connection.

Ok. Now try calling them up and tell them you are a single mother on benefits and ask if they will take you on as a tenant. Let us know how you get on.

What you dont realise is that probably another 100 people will apply for that house.

We have already tried this method of searching online and calling up and have had no success. We have spoken to literally hundreds of ads

EDIT: Sorry I replied to the wrong comment in the thread, appreciate you were in fact saying what I am saying, that just because google says there are a lot of properties, doesn't mean she can easily be snug and cosy with her kids in a nice 2 bed property this time next week with minimal effort like people are suggesting. If it were that easy she wouldn't be struggling in the first place.

Not only have both me and my friend struggled, but both the MP and social worker also both struggled to find anything

OP posts:

Eglatina · 10/12/2023 13:48

You're welcome @ConcernedCitizenUK you are being an amazing friend to someone who's made a mistake that I'm sure she's learnt from. Hope the house hunting goes better now for a 2 bed knowing she'll be able to pay her way soon. Then she can give it 6 months and hopefully reapply to go on the list for social housing.

bellac11 · 11/12/2023 20:27

I dont know why people keep making out the friend cant move because she doesnt have a local connection. You dont need a local connection to rent somewhere privately.

Ive had some success with this organisation but havent used them in recent years

http://www.amrp.co.uk/

Welcome to AMRP Relocations

We're a unique and innovative property management, maintenance and sourcing company based in County Durham. We've built ourselves with some pretty unique elements which means the service we offer to landlords, tenants and those looking to sell their h...

http://www.amrp.co.uk

Yalta · 11/12/2023 20:36

*ConcernedCitizenUK · Yesterday 12:39

Eglatina · 08/12/2023 23:59

Really? Quick search on rightmove for £700-£800 brought up around 20 properties, and they were mostly student houseshares or for over 55s and the odd one in Southampton, Portsmouth, Canterbury, Norfolk and the Isle of Wight! There are cheaper areas in most regions of course, but the market certainly isn't flooded 🤷‍♀️ how many local authorities in the south east? And you can't switch authority areas unless you have a local connection.
Ok. Now try calling them up and tell them you are a single mother on benefits and ask if they will take you on as a tenant. Let us know how you get on.

What you dont realise is that probably another 100 people will apply for that house.

We have already tried this method of searching online and calling up and have had no success. We have spoken to literally hundreds of ads

EDIT: Sorry I replied to the wrong comment in the thread, appreciate you were in fact saying what I am saying, that just because google says there are a lot of properties, doesn't mean she can easily be snug and cosy with her kids in a nice 2 bed property this time next week with minimal effort like people are suggesting. If it were that easy she wouldn't be struggling in the first place.

Not only have both me and my friend struggled, but both the MP and social worker also both struggled to find anything*

Firstly why labour the point about single parent. Secondly the ones I looked at specifically said they take people on benefits.

How far away are you looking. Are you looking outside the are, 100,200,300 miles away?

When we moved a couple of years ago we moved from north London to Nottingham for a while because it was the only place available at very short notice.
Try doing a 5 hour round trip each day for work.

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 20:44

As far as I'm aware, the friend doesn't work and is in receipt of welfare benefits. Local authorities generally don't like people moving in from other areas and claiming benefits without a local connection. It's quite straightforward really and in the same bag as making yourself intentionally homeless.

bellac11 · 11/12/2023 20:49

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 20:44

As far as I'm aware, the friend doesn't work and is in receipt of welfare benefits. Local authorities generally don't like people moving in from other areas and claiming benefits without a local connection. It's quite straightforward really and in the same bag as making yourself intentionally homeless.

This is absolute nonsense

Anyone from anywhere can make a benefit claim including (or not, dependent on circumstances) the rent element of your UC

Its nothing like making yourself intentionally homeless. The friends only real option is to rent a property in an area where the LHA covers the rent. The areas that this applies to are vanishingly small, despite a number of posters on here claiming to have found millions of property that it applies to in the south east.

The north east is her best bet

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 11/12/2023 20:58

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 20:44

As far as I'm aware, the friend doesn't work and is in receipt of welfare benefits. Local authorities generally don't like people moving in from other areas and claiming benefits without a local connection. It's quite straightforward really and in the same bag as making yourself intentionally homeless.

What a load of shit!!! Benefits aren't administered by local authorities. Anyone can move wherever they want and claim benefits.

randomstress · 11/12/2023 21:00

It is true that many areas require you to have a local connection of some sort to be eligible for housing.
Unless for example it is an organized DA move.

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 21:04

I've always been under the impression that a local authority is under no obligation to offer housing or council tax benefit if you are new to an area without a local connection. At least that has been my experience in the past. It certainly works that way with social housing. I expect things are different in different authority areas and possibly where universal credit now replaces legacy benefits, which isn't everywhere. However as far as council tax benefit is concerned, that is likely to remain a locally funded benefit, so would be dependent on the authorities being applied to.

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 11/12/2023 21:09

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 21:04

I've always been under the impression that a local authority is under no obligation to offer housing or council tax benefit if you are new to an area without a local connection. At least that has been my experience in the past. It certainly works that way with social housing. I expect things are different in different authority areas and possibly where universal credit now replaces legacy benefits, which isn't everywhere. However as far as council tax benefit is concerned, that is likely to remain a locally funded benefit, so would be dependent on the authorities being applied to.

No it doesn't work like that. It never has.

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 11/12/2023 21:09

randomstress · 11/12/2023 21:00

It is true that many areas require you to have a local connection of some sort to be eligible for housing.
Unless for example it is an organized DA move.

Only for social housing. Which isn't what the OP's friend is trying to access.

bellac11 · 11/12/2023 21:17

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 21:04

I've always been under the impression that a local authority is under no obligation to offer housing or council tax benefit if you are new to an area without a local connection. At least that has been my experience in the past. It certainly works that way with social housing. I expect things are different in different authority areas and possibly where universal credit now replaces legacy benefits, which isn't everywhere. However as far as council tax benefit is concerned, that is likely to remain a locally funded benefit, so would be dependent on the authorities being applied to.

It has never ever worked like that. What experience are you referring to?

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 22:13

My experience was probably some 30years ago and I can't remember the full details so apologies if I am incorrect, but I was left with the sense that it seemed utterly impossible to move out of area without a local connection if you were unemployed. Perhaps I have mixed up housing benefit with being in housing need, as clearly having a tenancy itself is a local connection, but in any case it's difficult and risky and likely more expensive since you'd have to start a new claim with likely delays, depending on the authority area you're moving to. I don't know if it would be different with UC, but that's where it would be sensible for OPs friend to check with the LA she's going to before signing any dotted lines. It would also likely mean a change to UC if she was on legacy benefits in her current area, which it sounds like she is.

Either way it smacks a bit of social cleansing to force vulnerable people miles away from their support networks because of dwindling housing supply at LHA rates.

bellac11 · 11/12/2023 22:34

It certainly wasnt an issue 30 years ago because I claimed myself while moving all over the place and later worked in benefits. It never has been

People who buy property or who are not on benefits and rent move to where they can afford the rent/mortgage so its not social cleansing.

Any new claim for rent will pay in arrears, whether she now stays in the area she is currently homeless in or moves somewhere else. She has to find a property now, she hasnt got an abode, so what difference does it make to find something in an another area. (apart from logistics of getting up there, changing schools etc)

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 22:57

Well it's entirely up to her to decide whether that's something she feels able to consider, but I'd imagine for someone fleeing domestic violence, a local support network would be fairly vital. Are you saying there isn't a need at all for LHA? Surely there should be cheaper areas in all regions affordable to anyone to exist on a living wage?

Yalta · 12/12/2023 00:57

*Eglatina · Yesterday 22:13

My experience was probably some 30years ago and I can't remember the full details so apologies if I am incorrect, but I was left with the sense that it seemed utterly impossible to move out of area without a local connection if you were unemployed. Perhaps I have mixed up housing benefit with being in housing need, as clearly having a tenancy itself is a local connection, but in any case it's difficult and risky and likely more expensive since you'd have to start a new claim with likely delays, depending on the authority area you're moving to. I don't know if it would be different with UC, but that's where it would be sensible for OPs friend to check with the LA she's going to before signing any dotted lines. It would also likely mean a change to UC if she was on legacy benefits in her current area, which it sounds like she is.

Either way it smacks a bit of social cleansing to force vulnerable people miles away from their support networks because of dwindling housing supply at LHA rates*

In the 80s we were told to get on our bike and move for work.

I have probably lived in more places that most people and never heard of this type of thing.

Ultimately is someone more vulnerable without a roof over their heads or a roof they can afford.
Why wouldn’t you just move.

Don't forget it was this friends support network that did more harm than good telling her to say no to the one and only flat that was offered

Yalta · 12/12/2023 01:00

Whilst benefits are paid in arrears, you can get some of your benefits paid in advance.

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 12/12/2023 04:37

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 22:13

My experience was probably some 30years ago and I can't remember the full details so apologies if I am incorrect, but I was left with the sense that it seemed utterly impossible to move out of area without a local connection if you were unemployed. Perhaps I have mixed up housing benefit with being in housing need, as clearly having a tenancy itself is a local connection, but in any case it's difficult and risky and likely more expensive since you'd have to start a new claim with likely delays, depending on the authority area you're moving to. I don't know if it would be different with UC, but that's where it would be sensible for OPs friend to check with the LA she's going to before signing any dotted lines. It would also likely mean a change to UC if she was on legacy benefits in her current area, which it sounds like she is.

Either way it smacks a bit of social cleansing to force vulnerable people miles away from their support networks because of dwindling housing supply at LHA rates.

Even if it were the case 30 years ago (it wasn't!) why on earth would you confidently state something based on your personal memories of 30 years ago as if that could possibly still be the case in 2023? Don't you think the housing and benefit systems might have moved on in 30 years?

MintJulia · 12/12/2023 06:47

'She's been in emergency accommodation for two years. What has she been doing in that time to upskill / earn her livelihood / make a plan? Then turns down a flat?!?

At some point the largesse has to end. We all need to take responsibility for ourselves.'

This, with bells on. What has she been doing for two years?!!??!

I left an abusive situation, found a (fairly grotty) 1 bed flat and a job and was moved in and working within a month. It was fraught and stressy and absolutely no fun.

But no-one offered me a deposit, a month's rent, a guarantor, a social worker or a HA flat. My family needed a home and I was totally focused on making that happen, even if it meant moving 85 miles. Not standing about complaining about how it's all so unfair.

Honestly OP, be very careful. My overwhelming instinct is you are being taken for a fool.

bellac11 · 12/12/2023 07:32

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 22:57

Well it's entirely up to her to decide whether that's something she feels able to consider, but I'd imagine for someone fleeing domestic violence, a local support network would be fairly vital. Are you saying there isn't a need at all for LHA? Surely there should be cheaper areas in all regions affordable to anyone to exist on a living wage?

You dont seem to understand what you're talking about at all

What do you mean 'are you saying there isnt a need for LHA'

Where have I said that and what on earth are you talking about?

She isnt fleeing DV, she has been out of that situation for 2 years by the sounds of it and now needs to find accommodation she can afford.

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 12/12/2023 07:42

Eglatina · 11/12/2023 22:57

Well it's entirely up to her to decide whether that's something she feels able to consider, but I'd imagine for someone fleeing domestic violence, a local support network would be fairly vital. Are you saying there isn't a need at all for LHA? Surely there should be cheaper areas in all regions affordable to anyone to exist on a living wage?

she's not actually fleeing DV. She did flee, 2 years ago. Now she just needs somewhere to live.
lots of people have to move to cheaper areas. It's crap, and I do agree with your comment about social cleansing to an extent, but this is really common.
what do you mean there isn't a need for LHA? LHA exists but it's capped and is far far below average rents in most areas of the country.
yes there should be cheaper regions of every area in principle which LHA should cover. But it doesn't. There is a housing crisis. Private rental rates are out of control and LHA has been capped by the tories for years.