pregnant and homeless

[bernadette1984]

Hello all,

I have a big problem. In a nutshell this is the situation I now stupidly find myself in.

I am a 34 year old female, who is 6 months pregnant, and my partner of three years (the father) left me a few weeks ago.

I currently live at home with my parents - as even though I work full time as a chef - in London - my salary of £15,600 - doesn't cover the cost of rent or mortgage of a place in London.

My parents while sympathetic to my situation, are adamant that I can't continue living in their home with a baby, as they are elderly and could not cope living with a baby, and the upheaval and noise and stress that brings, and that I must find my own place to live.

Obviously once I have the baby I will have even less income, as Maternity Pay will be my only source of income. I have no savings. And have no friends willing or able to accommodate me and my baby.

I know it's asking a lot, but would appreciate any advice anybody could give to help ensure my baby and I can afford somewhere to live.

Do I speak to the Council? Rent Privately? When should I do this? What do I say? Who do I speak to? How do I increase my chances of getting housed? Will they take my baby away from me as I will be homeless?

Basically what should I do (other than cry and panic, which is a waste of time and no help to anybody)?

Thanks

Bernadette

Approach the local authority and tell them what you have said here. Your parents may have to put it in writing that they will not allow you to stay and housing will try to persuade them otherwise.

As you are pregnant I believe they have a duty to house you but this will most likely be bed and breakfast for a long while.

The local authority may have schemes that offer rent deposits and you can claim housing benefit to pay the rent if you find somewhere.

I assume you will be claiming CM from the father to increase your income?

If you approach the council then you need to make sure that they don't think you're making yourself 'intentionally homeless'. So basically get your parents to write a letter/come with you to confirm that you are no longer allowed to live there. But they have to say that they absolutely will not allow it and be very clear. You need to say that YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE TO GO.

I imagine that you would be a priority and that they would give you somewhere to live temporarily. B&B or something whilst you wait for a house/flat.

Or you could ask your parents to be guarantors on a tenancy contract. But that depends on their willingness and their ability to do so.

Other than that, word of mouth is probably the next step. Ask around and see if anyone is looking to let a room immediately. Use this as your base for sorting everything out.

For what it's worth I think your parents have behaved pretty badly. I understand the circumstances and the fact that it's their house, their rules but I can't imagine chucking my pg daughter out onto the streets. How far along in the pregnancy are you?

Surely that’s under minimum wage? Works outs at £7.50 per hour if you’re doing a 40 hour week.. you should be on £7.83 minimum at your age.

Firstly, I’d suggest getting a different job!

With regards to the housing, I don’t think your parents are being unfair, it’s very unfortunate but I can understand their thinking, the council is your best option I think. Good luck.

The number one thing you are ultimately going to have to do is get a better job. It's one thing to live on wages like that as an unencumbered 19 year old for a few years while you work up to something better, but you're a grown woman and a mother. You are going to have to find a way to make more.

You will have to go to the council, but you are going to have a hard time getting housed. Your parents will have to write a letter saying that they cannot have you at home, and even then they may not accept this. There also isn't exactly a surplus of empty houses and flats in London. If/when they do house you, you could be in hostel accommodation for years.

In the short term, I think your best bet is honestly to persuade your parents to reconsider and to arrange maintenance from your ex. In the long term, unless your parents are going to do your childcare for free, I would strongly consider moving to a cheaper part of the country and getting work there. Speak to Shelter ASAP and look at Entitledto to understand what benefits you may be able to get.

Agree with PP. You are on a low income but whilst you're with your parents, save absolutely every spare penny you have. Open a savings account and put it in there. You need to have a least a small amount of savings to help support you and your baby.

Also make sure you claim child benefit and tax credits when you return to work. Sort out child maintenance from the father as he is legally responsible for her financially as well as yourself.

Good luck x

Another thought: it might be worth talking to your parents about the reality of what will happen if you go to the council for housing (I seriously doubt you will be able to get anything at all privately). They may be thinking that things are like they were in the past and the council will set you up with a serviceable flat right away. The reality is that it's more likely to be a single room in a hostel, with no cooking facilities and alcoholics and addicts next door, and quite possibly miles away from where you are now.

If I were you I would probably negotiate with them that I stay, say, 6 months after the baby is born, and start making plans to find work at that stage somewhere with a cheaper cost of living. You'd be better off working in Starbucks or Pret than what you're doing now, not least because if you're motivated and hardworking you'd have the chance to progress into management there.