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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Original poster

so anyway...being made homeless next week...any one here from council, advice pls

40 replies

mumnotarobot · 03/02/2009 18:29

I am a single mum with a 6year old son. I live with my mum, and due to here mental health......long story she now wants us out. I am not mad at my mum, shes helped us for this long, and as i said its a long story which would help give a clearer picture of things but would prefer not to go into it.

I've tried to apply for my own council property but i havent been given enough points to bid. Which means i could be on the hosuing list forever.

Anyways today i went to the housing aid to apply for homelessness.
Im left a little cheesed off because i dont feel anyone is helping in suppporting me. Ive contacted social services because they have a legal obligation to step in and offer help, ive been told. Its been two weeks and ive been calling them, they still havent done anything.
I mean what am i suppose to do, i only recieve lone parents benefits, loooking for work at moment but things are so stressful i dont know what next move to make.

I know i can rent privately and apply for housing benefits but in order to do this would need down payments... all this is stressful dont have the money and i feel like screaming.

ps my mums decision is final and she refuses to discuss it.

Advice please
thanks
xx

OP posts:

staryeyed · 03/02/2009 18:37

Well if you are homeless you need to go to your council with a letter from your mum to say you cant stay there with a date you have to leave by and her address and contact details. You take your proof of income and bank statements etc and go and apply to your councils homeless persons unit. They have to assess you by law and make a decision on whether they think you are vulnerable and in priority need. AS you have child you fit these criteria therefore they have to find you housing although it may be temporary. However they sometimes discharge their duty if you have been found to make yourself intentionally homeless.

There also might be a a rent deposit scheme in your area that will provide rent in advance and guarantee a deposit.

Original poster

mumnotarobot · 03/02/2009 18:45

Ive done all this and i guess nothing will happen until the actual date written on the letter by my mum.

Im from islington, should i contact anyone else or do the housing aid make the contacts??

I have never heard of a ret deposit scheme.

OP posts:

flubdub · 03/02/2009 18:49

Could you get a loan from the social to give you the deposit for a private house? They dont charge interest, it just comes out of your benefits.

flubdub · 03/02/2009 18:51

Rent deposit scheme
HTH. Google it for more info. Loads came up, but you'll need to check with your council. Which council is it?

StayFrosty · 03/02/2009 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

mumnotarobot · 03/02/2009 18:52

islington

OP posts:

flubdub · 03/02/2009 18:53

Actually, I think they only keep the deposit, and sort out any discrepensies(sp) at the end of your tenancy.

Original poster

mumnotarobot · 03/02/2009 18:54

thanks i will check this out

OP posts:

staryeyed · 03/02/2009 18:57

You have to have a "proof" of homelessness otherwise they will not assess you. From islington council:

If you are renting private accommodation you will normally need to pay a deposit of one month's rent when you move in to the landlord. This deposit will be returned to you when you leave the property, if it is in the same condition as it was when you moved in.

A Rent Deposit Scheme is a scheme to encourage private landlords to rent property to people who might otherwise find it difficult or impossible to pay the initial deposit. The scheme provides a sum of money to cover the advance deposit for rented property. The deposit is based on the current Local Housing Allowance entitlement for the size of the property.

Successful applicants may be provided with advice and assistance in finding a property from a private landlord. Once a suitable property has been located and a letting arrangement agreed, a Pre-Tenancy Determination must be completed, and the rent level agreed. Once this has taken place, housing benefit must be arranged if appropriate, and a 12 month assured shorthold tenancy agreement signed.

The actual money for the rent deposit will be paid direct to the landlord.

To get advice and information about how to apply please contact the Housing Aid Centre on 020 7527 6311.

staryeyed · 03/02/2009 18:59

You need to approach the council yourself as a housing aid is usually independent from the council. Making an application to one is not making an application to both. There maybe someone from the Housing aid centre that can assist you with a homeless persons application though.

choufleur · 03/02/2009 19:00

Councils have a duty to house you if you are homeless, threatened with homelessness, and you have a local connection to that authority. presumably you already live in islington? they do not however have you give you a house or a flat. they could 'house' you in a B&B or other temporary accommodation such as a shelter.

if the council hasn't got back to you follwing initial contacts phone and harrass your councillor. council officers jump far higher when councillors jump up and down.

Original poster

mumnotarobot · 03/02/2009 19:01

Thanks stareyed. I have actually been to see them today.

I was told i will be contacted. But the situation as it stands is me and my son will be homeless next week.

I have tried every avenue to seek help and advice.

OP posts:

lou031205 · 03/02/2009 19:04

Info on budgeting loan here

staryeyed · 03/02/2009 19:08

No mumnotarobot- the day you become homeless you go to the council and ask for an emergency assessment and explain you have no where to go. Their first step will be to try to patch things up with your mum. If your mum says you can not stay they will find you emergency accommodation.

Councils do not have a duty to house every homeless person only those to be considered vulnerable and in priority need.

lowrib · 03/02/2009 19:08

I think if you are housed in an emergency hostel it could be pretty grim, but you will get enough points to bid.

staryeyed · 03/02/2009 19:10

alternatively you search really hard to find private rented accommodation and secure the rent in advance and deposit through the housing aid/council rent deposit scheme.Either place should have a list of landlords that take housing benefit but I dont know how long it would take to register you on the scheme.

flubdub · 03/02/2009 19:11

Is there any friends/aunties/sisters or your dads you could stay at in the mean time?
Keep posting too!!!

staryeyed · 03/02/2009 19:12

what did the housing aid say to you?

lowrib · 03/02/2009 19:14

Also is it you or your mum who has mental health issues? If it's you, make sure you are getting points for this too.

SulliedYouth · 03/02/2009 19:19

Wow staryeyed, we could do with you in Kent! I work with young homeless people and the gate keeping is horrendous in my area!

I was going to try and offer my advice but I think Stary has said it all. They have a duty to provide you and your child with a roof over head.

There may be a mother and child supported housing unit in the area that they could refer you to. In Kent we have a housing options officer who deals with it, however I am not sure how it works in other areas.

Good luck

LadyMuck · 03/02/2009 19:21

Would second talking to Shelter. They're the best.

You are not yet homeless. That said your council have a duty to help you if you have applied as homeless. I'm not local to Islington but in my London borough you would be put in a B&B on the date that you are made homeless (you would not have the address confirmed until that date). They would usually try to rehome you within 6 weeks.

Good luck, and do phone Shelter. They are very good.

SulliedYouth · 03/02/2009 19:28

How old are you? Robot? It should not really have any bearing as you have a young child but might be helpful.

lowrib · 03/02/2009 19:28

The Shelter site says:

"Shelter's free national helpline

If you need advice and help in an emergency and you are not sure what to do, phone Shelter's free national helpline on 0808 800 4444 to talk to a housing adviser who can:

explain your rights
tell you your options
tell you what (if anything) is available in your are"

lowrib · 03/02/2009 19:35

There is a Shelter

The Shelter Office "London Housing Aid Centre (South Team Office)" in Angel,

They say their services offered are

"Specialist housing advice and advocacy service for anyone with a housing problem in London. Deal with rent or mortgage arrears, harassment, housing benefit problems, disrepair, homelessness, escaping violence.
Initial contact is by phone via the advice line, with follow up appointments as appropriate. Also offer housing advice through local surgeries."

They open 10-1pm, phone to make appointment I think 020 7014 1540

(I got this info from their site here)

lowrib · 03/02/2009 19:36

Oops, please ignore "there is a shelter" above!

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