Crowded house
Question
I used to live with my boyfriend in my aunt's house but I fell pregnant and she kicked us out. So we moved into my mum's with my stepdad, brother and sister. I've since had my baby.
The thing is, it's totally overcrowded. My daughter and I share a bedroom with my sister and my boyfriend and brother sleep in the living room. My mum's in my sister's room and my stepdad sleeps in my brother's room. It's a nightmare. On top of it all, my step dad comes home drunk at night and shouts at my mum. It's distressing for all of us and unfair on my sister because she has to deal with it when the noise wakes up the baby. None of us can sleep and, frankly, I'm tearing my hair out.
I've put myself on the council's housing list and, in spite of repeated phone calls, they don't pay any attention. I don't seem to be getting anywhere with it all and I'm at the end of my tether. Is there anything I can do? I can't stay here any longer.
Answer
Finding a home can be very difficult due to the high cost of housing and your options may be limited to how much you can afford. Councils or housing associations are generally the most affordable housing. However they are not always easy to get because you have to apply to them for help.
If the place you're living it at the moment is your parents' home and they have told you to go, you could apply as homeless to the council. If you need to leave home because you have fallen out with your parents you may be able to get mediation or support to help sort things out.
In your case, you could also apply as homeless because your home is unsuitable for you. Even though you have somewhere to live at the moment, because of the circumstances you describe, you may be able to show that it isn't reasonable for you to stay there any longer.
Applying as homeless is not the same as putting your name on the waiting list for a permanent council home. Make sure the person you speak to understands that you need help immediately because you are homeless and that you want to stay on the waiting list as well.
If you are homeless your local council may have a specific legal duty to help you but the help the council has to offer you will depend upon your circumstances.
Some people who are classed as homeless are entitled to accommodation from the local council. You are entitled to emergency accommodation if the council believe you fit certain legal criteria. To meet these, you must be:
The council will need to decide whether you are in a priority need category. In your case the council should decide that you are a top priority to be housed because you have a baby.
If the council has a duty to you as a homeless person then they should find accommodation for you as soon as possible. They may place you in temporary housing until something long term becomes available.
You have also said that you keep asking the council for help but they seem to take no notice. You may benefit from getting some local advice. An adviser may be able to help you deal with the council and get them to offer you more help. They may also be able to help you challenge any decisions which the council have made that you think are unfair.
Updated: 29/09/2008
Question answered by Shelter
