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Original poster

Council House. AIBU

40 replies

Nace777 · 06/08/2020 14:13

Hi everyone,

Ok, long story short, i, my DP and 2 kids(a girl 11 and a boy 10), we all became homeless in August 2011.
We were living in my brother in law Bedsit, he wouldn't wait for the Council to proceed overcrowding application, he just all kicked us OUT.
We were placed in a temporary accomodation outside the borough for 5 years.
In 2016, i lost my sight, i became totally blind(genetic condition, gene mutation), i am since then on a load of medication for MH( depression, panic attacks).
In 2017 the Council moved me back into the borough, but still in temporary accommodation.
In 2018, the Council moved me again to another temporary acc.
The problem is that i can't adapt my house to my needs.
Although, i have this feeling of not being able of starting this "new life" as a disabled registered severely blind, the reason being not able to settle properly in my home.
AIBU for wanting the Council to place me on a more permanent home???
I understand and appreciate the shortage and homelessness, but i promise you if i could see my kids face just one more time i will work for free 24/7 and live in a tent in a middle of nowhere.

OP posts:

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/08/2020 14:30

Of course you’re not being unreasonable, everybody deserves a home to meet their needs. I assume the length of one is because you’re in a high-demand area and three-bedroom properties capable of being adapted are scarce. How close are you to the top of the list?

Does DP work? Do you have savings or the ability to save something? If so, the HOLD (Home Ownership for People with Long-term Disabilities) could be an option for you. It’s a shared ownership / Help to Buy scheme which gives priority to people with disabilities.

LonginesPrime · 06/08/2020 14:38

The problem is that i can't adapt my house to my needs.

OP, are you saying that you've requested housing adaptations to accommodate your disabilities from the council and they have refused?

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/08/2020 14:43

I’d assume that if it’s temporary accommodation then it’s either not suitable for the family long term as too small, or the council lease it from a private landlord and therefore don’t have the authority to adapt it.

BrieAndChilli · 06/08/2020 14:46

I assume your kids are now 19/20 so able to either move out meaning you only need a 1 bed or contribute to rent for a private rental? Have you looked into these options?

Itsjustabitofbanter · 06/08/2020 14:50

Don’t any of you work? If the council isn’t providing accommodation to your liking then you’ll have to find your own accommodation. I’m really sorry about your disability, but I think it’s great that we live in a country where you’ve immediately been given accommodation when you’ve unfortunately found yourself homeless

bedjolly · 06/08/2020 14:50

YANBU!! You really deserve it it sounds like you've been through a lot of annoyance. I really hope this gets sorted out for you. xx

AlwaysLatte · 06/08/2020 15:07

Assuming the kids are still living with you, are they in full time education?

Original poster

Nace777 · 06/08/2020 15:35

Hi guys,
Thank you for you responses.
Kids are 10 and 11 now.
I used to work, DP worked too we were renting privately until landlord decided to sell, we were looking for a house, living at my brother in law, but life turned it all upside down.
I used to be very girly, well i am not now.
I used to be a strong independent woman, fighting for women rights, well my daughter is a bit like me now, fighting the corner of everyone,lol.
I think my kids deserve definitely a better mum.
They all be better off really.

OP posts:

Original poster

Nace777 · 06/08/2020 15:39

Temporary acc are private rented where you can't really readapt for long term.
If i had savings i will definitely try to access property ladder.
(DP had a gambling addiction for years, hopefully he got support and it is better now).

OP posts:

2bazookas · 06/08/2020 15:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MrsBobDylan · 06/08/2020 15:45

I think you would be better trying to get a move within an area where they still have housing association/Council houses.

Can you ask you Council if they can help with a managed move and tell them you are willing to go where the property is? That way you can apply for adaptations and have long term security.

LonginesPrime · 06/08/2020 15:48

OP, you say you're on medication for your MH but are you having counselling/therapy as well?

You need more than your GP chucking you some antidepressants in your situation and you'll need to push for this if that's all that's happened.

It seems like you've got lots of different issues going on - it's very tempting to focus on chasing down the solutions that seem simplest, especially when a disability or diagnosis is new to you. But you have some complex issues going on and I wonder if you're accessing all the support available to you.

Have you had an adult needs assessment from the council? If not, you should request one ASAP as the council have a legal duty to assess your needs.

Arrowcat · 06/08/2020 15:49

How long have you been in this 'temporarary' accomodation? It might be worth asking if you can make some changes that would help you? For example, I can't imagine many landlords being upset by some additional support railings and handles? (I think you should be able to ask social to assess and put these in for you.) Especially if you offer to make right after and there's less chance of you moving soon.
It's worth exploring anyway!
You def can't go into private rented? Sometimes you can get more leeway ? Landlords arnt always the baddys.

DianaT1969 · 06/08/2020 15:49

You mention being housed outside of the borough. I sense that being back in that borough is what you want. As you and your DP aren't working, why do you want to go back there? Do you have relatives there? Why not push for a permanent council home further out where there is less demand. Roughly where are you? If it is the south-east, go further - assuming that it fits with your DC school changes.
To be honest, lots of people live in private rented accommodation and have to manage the insecurity. You have been dealt a rough hand with losing your sight, but I think you should focus on family time, rather than pie-in-the-sky wishes like buying a property. It won't happen until your DP can earn a lot, save a deposit and you all move to an affordable area.

LonginesPrime · 06/08/2020 15:51

Can you get a job as a typist? Your typing skills are remarkable for a blind person.

Helpful.

I know a blind lawyer. Dictation technology has been around for at least 25 years.

Cheekywifey · 06/08/2020 15:53

@2bazookas dont know how the OP is posting but I can assure you times have moved on. Technology is available to support those with sight issues to ensure they can access the internet etc. Way to make the op who clearly states she has issues with mh feel even better by doubting her debilitating illness

cyst · 06/08/2020 15:59

@2bazookas

Can you get a job as a typist? Your typing skills are remarkable for a blind person.

You're a dick. I used my dictation to type that! Either dictation is a marvel of modern life or my phone agrees with me too. Both probably.

Go and boil your head.

fourquenelles · 06/08/2020 16:12

@2bazookas

Can you get a job as a typist? Your typing skills are remarkable for a blind person.

Perhaps the OP has voice recognition software which may not be available in every workplace.

fourquenelles · 06/08/2020 16:13

Cross posted with others whose piss was boiling at that goady comment too

unmarkedbythat · 06/08/2020 16:15

@2bazookas

Can you get a job as a typist? Your typing skills are remarkable for a blind person.

Better than your research skills clearly; one quick google would have demonstrated to you the range of options available to the op to enable her to access and use MN.

mumwon · 06/08/2020 16:47

If I know anything about council houses its not up to op about choices in where she lives - they will decide she needs an adapted property but they will wait until one is "free" - it won't be her choice

mumwon · 06/08/2020 16:53

ps there is also software for easy reading - black screen large yellow writing (cant remember were I discovered this I think I was just messing around on my pc)
some people are a bit ignorant to put it mildly & the assumption that having decent typing will get you a job - are you living in the real corona world now????? (especially if you are disabled & that gets us down another rabbit hole!)

bedjolly · 06/08/2020 16:59

@mumwon

ps there is also software for easy reading - black screen large yellow writing (cant remember were I discovered this I think I was just messing around on my pc) some people are a bit ignorant to put it mildly & the assumption that having decent typing will get you a job - are you living in the real corona world now????? (especially if you are disabled & that gets us down another rabbit hole!)

Everything you said is spot on. People are delusional.

FlamingoAndJohn · 06/08/2020 16:59

What adaptations would you need? Unlike someone who is a wheelchair user for example I don’t imagine your needs will be as great or long lasting.

bookmum08 · 06/08/2020 17:22

Flamingo why on earth do you think someone who is blind needs less adaptions as a person who is wheelchair user.
I would imagine things like no steps would help, bars to hold on to or use as a guide. Having things like plugs and switches, taps etc in easy to access places. A wet room instead of a bath that's hard to step in and out of.
OP I don't have any advice I am afraid but I wish you luck.

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