Housing Issues, contacting local Mp

[megan345]

Hello,

Has anyone had any success with contacting their MP in regards to social housing?

I've been on the list for 2 years since my son was born we currently live with my mum and sister in a 3 bed home. my partner, me and my son share a room, we were placed in silver band for overcrowding. This was initially fair we believed.

Our problem is my son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and requires a lot of specialist equipment to aid his development with his disability. Including a standing frame, 2 different forms of seating etc.

The thing is he needs more equipment and we just don't have the space at my mums for everything. We contacted our local homefinder with letters from our Physio, OT and HV. Homefinder looked at it and left us within the same band, we are currently 50+ when bidding and feel like we're just getting no where, I know its a long wait and we've been pretty patient I just hate having to turn down equipment that my son needs😕

With the current COL and rising housing prices we are unable to afford private renting and I am out of work due to being a full time carer for my son.

Thank you in advance❤️

Hiya, I did have some success but it was because the council weren't applying their own policies properly, so a letter from the MP office focused their minds. If you think that's the case here it could help. It's worth a go, certainly, because in silver you're unlikely to get anything much.

Look at your council's policy first to see if they've made the right decision re your banding. You can find it on their website. It'll be a big 40 page or so document. Read it and see what applies to you - have they made the decision they should?

Don't feel shy about contacting your MP. It's their job to speak for constituents. Very likely it'll be an administrator who actually looks into things for you, so it's not some massive event, but if they do end up sending a letter to the housing office then the housing office can't ignore it.

Have you contacted any other agencies/organisations? Eg citizens advice can be good on housing, can even help with appeals etc. As your child has a disability you could also get in touch with Contact, the family disability charity. They can give advice. Also in the meantime look into grant organisations etc, nationally and locally (citizens advice can help with this) to see if there's any additional help/funding you can access to improve your current living situation.

Eg some charities can help with the cost of providing storage for disability aids and equipment etc. Maybe something like family fund.?