council accomodation

[LisaSs]

Hi Girls! :)

First of all - I am due in December 2023, pregnant with my rainbow baby after 5 miscarriages.

The baby was 100% planned and after a few years of trying I am finally pregnant (hopefully it will stick this time 🙏)

on to the question... sadly me and my baby's daddy broke up recently. Trying and losses got us apart instead of bringing us together - he cheated on me and I had to move back to my parents. I am 28 years old, and in full-time employment but I am gonna struggle to rent something on my own and provide for a baby.

I know I am not eligible for any benefits, but I can't stay at my parent's house because there is simply no space for us.

I would love to have a council accommodation but I have no idea if I will be even eligible. Has anybody been in this situation? Any advice on how to get housing from the council?

Thank you for any advice x

Where are you living now? I doubt the council would feel any responsibility for housing you, tbh.

Apply like anybody else to your Local Authority for accommodation. It will be a yes, or a no.

If you are working, are you not able to rent privately? I know there's not a lot of affordable stock in some areas of the country so could be tricky but do look. Try your local facebook page.

This website might help give you some possible options other than the council near you: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charities/housing/supported-living

Only your LA can advise you of this.
My DD was 16 months when I left my abusive ex, I was told that I probably wouldn't get Council housing any time soon and my best was to privately rent but claim UC the housing element, my income from employment was used as the basis to rent, but I also needed a guarantor.
Unless there is statutory overcrowding at your parents house, I doubt the council will be in a rush to house you as they won't deem you as homeless.
Your best bet is to just apply to your LA as every Council is different.

@ReadersD1gest At the moment I am with my parents, but the house is too small for all of us there, we have 6 people living there and it's a 3 bedroom house.

@LadyKenya yes, but am I even considered for housing accommodation when I'm pregnant and have nowhere to go? Or does it only apply to people with kids already

Contact Shelter for advice.

If you’re talking about making a homelessness application then pregnancy is taken into account. If you just want to apply for social housing then it will be dependent on your LA’s policy, but often you can’t bid for a bedroom for an unborn child.

How are you planning to pay the rent? Do you think remaining in full time education is realistic?

@Pr1mr0se I live in London and the rent here for a 1 bed flat is around 1600£ so by myself I am not able to afford it.
@NCforthis123456 I really don't know what to do, it gives me such a big worry. Everyone is telling me it's not a good time for a baby but after so many losses I can't imagine aborting it...

Hi OP.
It all depends where you live.
You need to apply to your local authority first.
If they have nothing, you can apply to housing associations.
If you're prepared to move to somewhere remote, you may be offered accommodation fairly easily.
We moved from London to a small village in Scotland and they gave us a house within six weeks.

But you have to show that your local authority has nothing for you, and that you have officially applied to them.

If you want to live in London, forget it. There is zero council accommodation anywhere and you be on the list forever. All they will have to offer you is emergency accommodation, which is probably worse than being at your parents'.

If you are prepared to live somewhere relatively rural where nobody else wants to live, you might have a shot. But if you have no link to that council area, they are not that likely to take responsibility to hire you. And what would you do for work in that scenario?

You are probably going to have to private rent, possibly supplemented by benefits, and make do like most people in your situation.

@Bodgejobvendors I am planing to work as long as I can, and then go back to work as quickly as I will be able to, I have no other choice if I want to provide that baby with something.
My mum is happy to help with a baby care but they can't help me financially because they are struggling their selfs

@TheNachtzehrer I can't move out of London as I have my family here and if I want to work I will need their help with the baby.
Private rent is too expensive, and apparently I am not eligible for benefits.

You’re in a very tricky situation if you’re in London. Temporary accommodation is dire, and you’ll be waiting forever for social housing. Who are the other people living with your parents, will any of them be in a position to move out soon?

You definitely need proper advice from Citizen’s Advice on what benefits you’ll be entitled to. If you’re determined to have the baby I think you’ll need to quit education unfortunately.

@TheShellBeach I live in North London, i have a history of accommodation in Hertsmere council

When you have the baby you may be eligible for help towards private rent. Some councils help with a deposit and will work with landlords.

@Bodgejobvendors Im not in education, I am in full-time employment, and I'm 28 years old :)

It's my mum, dad, younger siblings and my disabled nan so unfortunately I am the only one who needs to move out
I have a history of accommodation in Hertsmere council, it's not strictly London, but close enough for me to travel but I am unsure if i will be even considered as emergency

Presumably you lived at home at some point... How is there no space for you now?

It's a choice that millions of people will be making right alongside you, private rent or live with family.
No way you'll be offered a council house in London, it's not going to happen.

Ah I misread. Why have you been told you’re not eligible for benefits then? Universal Credit will only take the baby into account when it’s born but you will qualify. Whether you’ll be able to find somewhere affordable, pay the deposit etc is another matter.

@ReadersD1gest I never lived at home since I turned 17.

How did you afford rent at that age? Did you live at your boyfriend's place?

@ReadersD1gest I went to work and lived with my boyfriend for 11 years. He lives in his parent's house they are not using it and agreed that he can live there

never would even think that after that long time, he will leave me with nothing.

How much is your current salary?
Do you expect your ex to cooperate and pay child maintenance? How much is the child maintenance calculator saying you should receive once the baby arrives?

He'll support the baby, surely?

You don't look likely to get a property in Hertsmere either. So it's stay where you are or go into private rental.