Refusing permanent council housing

[UFK]

I am staying in a temporary accommodation for 2 years given by the council and have just been offered a permanent flat by council on the 2nd floor.

I am a single mother of 3 daughters, all under the age of 7 and i do not have any family in UK. My ex partner is not giving me consent to take my girls abroad to visit my family, especially my elderly parents. My girls have never met my parents. I had made a court application to be allowed to take them for a visit without his consent but it was dismissed by the judge.

Now my elderly parents, both in their 70s and 80s have applied and received a 5 year visa to visit me and my girls in UK as we cannot visit them.

Both of them are incapable of walking up a flight of stairs and have to stay with me during their visits because of their advanced age and inability to speak English.

They will not be able visit me if I live on a 2nd floor. My girls and me will be isolated with no family in uk, no means to travel to them and for them not able to visit us either. I have on these grounds refused the 2nd floor property and requested for one with a lift or a ground floor one.

I have been warned that this is not a valid reason to refuse and the council could discharge me of the housing duty and I may get evicted.

What is the best way to deal with this if the council does indeed discharge me and I am evicted??

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Your circumstances are not relevant to the council. Accept this place or try private rental.

This.

Thank you so much for saying this

My apologies @UFK I posted very early on this thread as your first post came across as one created to bring out the worst in people. Which to be fair it did, as housing shortage is a national disgrace and not something any political party appears to give a flying fuck about.
But it’s been good to get your updates and understand a little more about your situation.
I hope your new place is suitable for you and your children and that you will feel safe, happy and secure there. Hopefully your parents will be able to manage the stairs, it just may take a bit more time for them, so remind them to take it steady.

@Agoodidea
That's alright. Believe me i don't mind the harshness I am getting here. I am being judged but all these people would have done the same if they were in my shoes.
I do not think I am entitled or privileged, I am making every decision keeping my kids in mind. In the past 5 years I have moved so many times, I haven't got any friends and family, no support network unlike so many of those judging me.
My kids faced lit up if they get see another adult around them that shows love and affection. Let's hope I make some lasting relationship in the new place and can still have parents over.

“Let's hope I make some lasting relationship in the new place and can still have parents over.”

I wish that for you too, we all need stability and loving support. Good luck!

OP for temporary housing, this stock becomes available more frequently- like the councils have a certain amount of properties they'll use for temporary housing. It's possible that they simply had more choice available amongst their temporary stock

Permanent housing there's far far less choice and far far higher risk turning it down so thank goodness you haven't

Nope if there is a living room or a large open plan kitchen/living room.

A couple, so the OPs parents, can sleep in one room.

The 3 children who are all under 10 can sleep in one room and the OP in another. Or 2 kids in one room and the OP and one kid in the other.

I mostly certainly would not have done the same as you. I wouldn't intentionally turn down a property, risking homelessness and my kids being put into social care.

In returning to your home country not at option? It sounds like things here are difficult. Maybe return and re think your strategy. Are you working? If you’re here unemployed and expecting social housing whilst being picky about it. Given the situation British people are in currently and genuine foreign nationals. You’re taking the Mickey Mouse!

You are replying to this post nearly 6 months after i posted it. 🙄

Just a few points

This is my home country and I am a British.🇬🇧

I am employed and the council has confirmed that I am entitled to permanant housing. You dont get permanant housing in this country unless you qualify for it. 😎

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@UFK then tell your parents to stay at home and you video call them then. If you want permanent housing, perhaps don’t be so picky and just take what you’re given as there are British families who would snap it up but they’re lower on the list. You’re ungrateful.

I have been given a ground floor flat already as being on a higher floor was affecting my mental health and making me feel islolated. What seems picky to you may be a genuine reason to another.

Thank you for your advice anyways.

Whilst the impact on your mental health is not good, I’m delighted to hear that you’ve got a ground floor flat. I hope it’s suiting your needs.

Have your parents been able to visit? I hope your girls are settled in the new place and school.