Pregnant, homeless DV

[Lemondrizzle11]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice please.

I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and fled DV in November to another Borough where the council put me in a hotel for 16 weeks with no access to a kitchen.

I have several mental health issues BPD, PTSD depression and anxiety and have been under the safeguarding midwives and perinatal mental health team as well as working with womens aid and other agencies.

Last week they moved me to a temporary complex where I have my own bathroom and kitchen which is a 60 mile round trip from any of my support and I am not coping well with this at all as I am so isolated and away from everyone who can help me with my baby when she arrives, it is also 30 miles from my chosen hospital.

I have also just been diagnosed with gestionatal diabetes and have been advised to have a c section, I have tried to be brave to leave the abusive relationship but I cannot cope without any support and miles away from friends and my brother who also has been looking after my emotional support dog.

I am terrified about not being to cope alone especially after a c section, I was made redundant at xmas so income is currently a big issue and I wont be able to drive nor will anyone be able to just pop in and see me after work etc being so far aware from everything.

I am only a band c on housing bidding system so it will take a long time until I get somewhere permanent and I just do not know what to do.

I was in such a state the mental health team did not want me being on my own this weekend and I have been on a friend's sofa.

Do you think I should challenge the temporary accommodation? My understanding is you have 21 days to do so after youve been put into it? I did try to argue it at the time but was told I'd be making myself intentionally homeless if I refused to go.

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you

I’m sorry OP what an awful situation. Unfortunately it’s a “take what you are offered otherwise they can wash their hands of you” situation- at least where I am. If you refuse then you’re making yourself intentionally homeless and so they will not help you any further. They can also only offer you what they have available & where, and you’re up against everybody else who is in need & on the list.

Sorry you're in this situation OP.

Is there no family or friends etc you could stay with? My understanding of temporary accommodation is that it's just that and your options are unlikely to be ideal.
It's a stop gap and not great in your circumstances.

Will you move up the list for proper housing once you've given birth? In terms of income, have you applied for universal credit? Maternity? Etc so you at least have something coming in

You should feel so proud of yourself for getting out of a bad situation and putting yourself and your baby first. No matter how hard it may seem right now, trust that you have done the right thing and it will work out.

You might be able to get legal aid OP, worth looking into and asking a Solicitor on your prospects of success. Community Law Partnership are particularly tenacious and good at getting results for the people they represent and will probably act wherever you are in England. If not try your local CAB or law centre if you haven't already

Thank you for your advice and kind words

I feel like I'm being punished to be honest and I know everything will hopefully eventually work out but I simply cannot cope being so far from my support network.

Various friends have offered to have me stay with them and rotate which I would prefer to do as at least I'd have emotional support and help with the baby but I think the council will then tell me I'm not entitled to permanent housing if I give up the temporary accommodation. I will try and contact CAB but at the moment I have so many appointments due to my mental health and high risk pregnancy its becoming impossible to find it in my to fight anyone anymore.

I just feel I am in a hopeless situation and it's only getting worse. I do not want to end up in a mental health hospital which I fear is where this is heading