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

[mumnotarobot]

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

my family are all in the states. I have a few friends, but they have kids and outside of borough. This doesnt help as id have to uproot my son out of school. I did contact shelter they just gave me general advice.
Im 28 sulliedyouth..dont know if my age makes a different however.
My mum has the mental health issues. I was that was back few years ago. But i am desperately trying to change things around for my ds. Im jus tired.

Have you lived in Islington for 6 months?

no...19 years

ok just establishing that you have a local connection. Did the housing aid not tell you how to apply as homeless/ about the Rent deposit scheme?

no... they were more interested in mediation. Which is understandble if i was 16.

Have you filled out a housing request form? If not, don't tell them anything and just ask for one. Do the arguing when you hand it in and tick most of their boxes. It sounds like you do. Count yourself as a separate entity to your mother. If she's kicking you out you are. Now you have a shared bathroom, shared acess, etc.

Yep the council will try the same I'm afraid. I would phone the council specifically and ask if they have a rent deposit scheme for families with children.

Get your mum to write a specific letter and warn her that the council may call. I think the council has to assess you within 21 days of you becoming homeless and they have to give you a decision in writing.

From what I see you meet all the criteria and have local connection as long as you are not found intentionally homeless- giving up your previous accommodation voluntarily, not paying your rent or evicted due to anti social behaviour. T

AS far as I know they have 28 days to assess you but still have to provide accommodation whilst they carry out enquiries.
I work with younger people so may be slightly different though.

Sorry I meant I think that you can apply 21 days before the date you are to become homeless. Councils will often try to fob you off so its best to go in and now your rights and make sure they deal with your case rather than just pass you to someone else.

When I became homeless (my parents evicted me - no animosity involved) I had to give a letter with the eviction date (which had to have one month's notice) to the council housing office.

They then made me go down there with DS (a baby) and my suitcase on the day of eviction and sit in an office whilst they found me somewhere to stay.

It was an emergency shelter place; not brilliant, but clean and livable.

Then they took 28 days to assess whether I'd made myself homeless or not, and said I was then on the list with X points.

Then it was a matter of paying the rent to this shelter (or housing benefit) and wait til a council house came up.

I hope they help you out Ring Shelter tomorrow and they'll tell you what you need to do next

Count yourself as a separate entity to your mother. If she's kicking you out you are. Now you have a shared bathroom, shared acess, etc.

I am so glad you say that tottwriter...because the way they are dealing with MY CASE is not like an individual. They are instead arguing the fact that 'homeless' because they did not give me enough points to bid. But that is exactly WHY i am being asked to leave.

My mum was going to be pateint and have me bid my way out of her flat, but fincially she cannot do this for another 5 years. She has been made reduntant and wants to down grade to a smaller property, all this is in the letter. So tbh i am completely taken by their idea that they rather my mum faces evicition HERSELF and we are all made homeless. How stupid is that??

What i dont understand is why social services are not acting immediately. I contacted them first when i recieved the letter two weeks ago.

My son is 6 for goodness sake... what am i suppose to do?? I dont even know what to pack, how to pack...im shattered!

i dont know if its stress or tiredness but pls excuse my bad spelling.

SS won't do anything because you aren't homeless yet; it's just the way they work I think - same as the council.

Pack clothes, toys, wash stuff; like for a holiday - anything else can be kept at your mums for a while (check first)

On the day you have to get out, go to the council office for housing and say "I wrote to you to tell you I was being evicted - it happened today. I need somewhere to stay".

Take food and toys unless DS is in school that day - you may be there a while whilst they find somewhere for you

Have you rang shelter?

get your mum to write a letter evicting you. Make it clear there is absolutely no chance of reconcilliation and don't budge on this.

Sorry you have to go through this.

How are you getting on? I hope things are working out OK.

Islington library has free internet by the way, if you need it.