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Original poster

council housing

18 replies

Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 08:24

Sorry for all the questions, and I'm sure this is the wrong forum, just looking for some help...
I've looked on gingerbread and it confused me, and I plan on going to citizens advice tomorrow, but I thought it was worth to try and get some answers from here as well.
So, the past seven months I've been unemployed due to mental health (but don't have case workers or anything), and I've been living with my parents for free. I'm eighteen weeks pregnant (and will be a single mom, ex has shown his true colours), still struggling with mental health (have been referred to perinatal mental health, but won't be seen until end of the month), and looking to move. I have no savings etc. I just landed a part time job, which I start next week. I'm twenty five if that makes a difference?
My parents are moving next month to a different county and I want to do everything I can to not go with them, as if I do I will lose my support system, have to quit my job, and have to change midwifes/perinatal mental health/hospital to deliver. I think if I move with them, my mental health will decline even more. And I want to be the best I can be for baby. So when they move, I think I'll be able to declare myself homeless?
That being said, I'm on universal credit from jobseekers. I tried to ask the employee at job seekers these questions, but she never gave me an answer.. just said to look online.
Am I able to sign up for the council housing list? Or do I need to try and find a flat and get housing benefits (which I think is now through UC)?
I'm trying to figure out if I will qualify for low income, but I haven't found anywhere that gives an answer of what actually qualifies you for low income.
I don't want to go to the council without some sort of plan formulated.
If anyone can offer some kind of help, I would be very appreciative.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 07/04/2019 08:27

Do you meet the criteria the council has on it's housing list?
It should be online for the local authority you live on.

Original poster
Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 08:36

According the council website, I do meet the criteria.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 07/04/2019 08:40

Get your name down asap.
If you go into the housing office tell them you will shortly be homeless because parents are e.igrating.
You might have to wait until parents lock the door and go for any priority.
Check the LA website to give you an idea how long you could be waiting.

Original poster
Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 08:44

What is the LA website ?

OP posts:
EnjoyItAll · 07/04/2019 08:45

Register online asap but also have a back up plan as their waiting lists can be huge meaning if you declare homeless they can put you in temporary accommodation which is not always close and often under a different council. I would also look into whether they offer discretionary housing payments as they can use that towards a deposit for a property so if there is a lot of private rental happy to take people on low income that may be your quickest route

Original poster
Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 08:53

Okay,
I've registered online and I just need to go in and provide all the documents they require.

OP posts:
Original poster
Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 09:00

What are discretionary housing payments?

OP posts:
stucknoue · 07/04/2019 09:01

On the day your parents move you will become homeless, you can present yourself and they will house you, but it will be emergency housing. Alternatively if you approach them now you can go on the list (lower category as you aren't homeless) and they can help you get a private tenancy eg help with deposit. A warning though, here housing can be very judgemental in circumstances as you describe so I would take someone with you for support.

itsnotso · 07/04/2019 09:04

You will qualify, but there will be a LONG waiting list. I was pregnant, husband left and I couldn't afford the mortgage on our house so it went on the market leaving me homeless once it sold. No immediate family. The council gave me band 4 priority, which is basically the bottom of the list. I had to private rent, and the council helped with 70% of that. The only other alternative was a mother and baby hostel.

I got back to work when my daughter was 8 months and eventually earned enough so that my rent wasn't subsidised. I was on the list 5 years, lots of bidding on properties, before I finally got a council house.

Whilst we've been here ever since, and I could now buy the house, I'm saving for a deposit to buy a different home. This house belongs to the council, and someone in need like I was could really do with it. So as soon as I can, I'll be handing it back to the council.

Good luck with your plight, but please don't think you will get a house or flat immediately just because you are pregnant. You need to look at alternatives x

Original poster
Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 09:14

Thank you all for the advice.
I definitely know it will be a long road, but I just want to get the ball rolling as much as I can.
Would the council do that- help with the cost of rentals? I never knew that!

OP posts:
itsnotso · 07/04/2019 10:41

Yes they do. It was called housing benefit but I'm not sure if it comes under the universal credit now. You would need to cover any shortfall yourself though, which can be hard when you've an extra mouth to feed x

TokenGinger · 07/04/2019 11:51

It depends where you are and what the housing is like in your area.

My friend was living in a private rented, top floor flat with no lift.

She put herself on the council housing list and has been given a house 2-3 months later.

Not homeless. Good earner.

itsnotso · 07/04/2019 12:12

Wow 2-3 months? Our wait in my area is now 7 years!

TokenGinger · 07/04/2019 13:42

7 years?! Oh my gosh! That's absolutely atrocious. What are people supposed to do in the meantime?

I would say she got lucky, but my aunt also got offered something within a matter of weeks. Though both were on undesirable estates with high crime rates so may have been vacant for some time if people hadn't "bid" on them.

MadameAnchou · 07/04/2019 14:01

Wow 2-3 months? Our wait in my area is now 7 years!

And in some councils, it's either an even longer wait or will never happen. It will be temporary housing/B&B and then whatever private let the council can get a LL to take tenants on UC.

Depends entirely on the location.

I really wish these baby daddy men weren't allowed to just abandon their children and make the state and the mother default support for their progeny.

itsnotso · 07/04/2019 15:11

@TokenGinger you have to private rent. Or, B&B as previously mentioned, bed sits, mother and baby hostels etc. I think the assumption that pregnant mothers are instantly entitled to a council house is well and truly over in my area. I waited 5 years, my cousin has been on 7 years, currently living in a one bedroom house with two children, so although overcrowded, she has a roof over her head so is low priority.

Original poster
Parent19876 · 07/04/2019 16:26

Thank you all for the words of advice, and frankly, reality check.
I appreciate it.
I in no way think that single mothers immediately get a place, and am well aware that it's a long road.

OP posts:
EnjoyItAll · 07/04/2019 20:33

sorry for the delay. discretionary housing payments are one off payments councils can make to clear rent arrears, bridge gaps between benefit and rent or provide a deposit. you can usually get the form from your local councils website but there is no set criteria as to who they give it too

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