Housing. Can anyone suggest who to go to for help?

Anthony1234

Hi I have been homeless for almost 4 years. Been from room to room. My council does not do locata so I can't bid for any properties under Band 2 so i can bid for the area i came from.. They have moved me away in temporary from friends connections gp etc. Despite my disability.. I'm really lost isolated in the area they have put me temporary. But however when it comes to housing me permanently in the future for a home cause, I can't bid they could put me further out. Also if council had the locata I could of bid back to that area. Can anyone suggest who I go to for help i have mental health aswell as disability. I'm 56.

AlwaysOneSunnyDay

Hello I can suggest contacting Shelter but you might have done that already. I hope others have some good ideas.

Needhelpandadvice

It would depend upon where you live, you should get in contact with Shelter which is a national charity.

They might be able to point you to local charities in your area.

However, if you have drug, drink or criminal records or history even though homeless they might not house you. Sadly, these councils and housing associations such as my housing association, they post about mental health on their faceyawn page, but they do not do anything about it when faced with it.

If you have past bad history such as rent arrears, anti social behaviour etc etc again pretty much they might touch you.

If you have a roof over your head and an address, you would be able to join the housing network in your area, and place bids but whether or not you get lucky is another matter, my local housing network does have adverts saying about homeless on some adverts.

I know that it is hard to do, but if you have a roof over your head, count that as a blessing, because you have people living in tents, or just in sleeping bags on the streets.

Your local council should also be able to advise you, or your local CAB.

I hope you find help soon.

Anthony1234

Thank you for yr response I do appreciate it. My council does not have locata. Which means I cannot bid whlist homeless in an emergency accommodation. Homeless 4 years almost.

How can I bid? if they haven't got a bidding system like other councils do?. Can you please explain the housing Network? How does that work please? Appreciate how I go abt it.

Thank you for your support.

vikki66

Hi @Anthony1234,

I’m sorry to hear that you’re in a hard situation re your housing.

It’s different in every area, and I don’t know what’s in your area, but have you tried CAB and Shelter?
What about housing associations?
Local disability action groups?
Are there any advocacy groups who help people with mental health diagnoses to communicate with organisations? Like maybe they could help you approach your local councillor or MP?

Although there are sometimes restrictions re past drink/drug use, there are also organisations who specifically help in this field. I’m not saying any of this applies to you, I’m just trying to think of everything I can that might help.

It’s really hard when something goes on so long, but try not to give up hope. I have a neighbour (now my friend) who was in temporary emergency accommodation for 2.5 years, and it took a toll on him. However he now has a little one-bedroom place that he thinks of as a palace, and has started to feel a bit happier. Another lifelong friend was in temporary accommodation after being kicked out by his ex-wife. It took a while, but he now has everything he needs in his own little flat.
Don’t give up hope.

poppy123456

If there's no bidding system then you'll never be able to bid. Those that don't have this system means that once a property becomes available to you then you will be offered it automatically, once you reach the top of the list.

As a single person then this could take many years, as you've already experienced a 4 year wait.

Anthony1234

Thank you poppy and viki.

But I'm.in an area that r predominantly a different culture. They put me 7 miles from the area that I loved..where all my connections are gp friends support were 3 buses in..I'm.feeling depressed isolated and very cut off. The areas they are going to be me in they could chose even further away and alienate me more..How could I get housing in my old area again I feel.trapped stuck.. who r the disability charties that might be able to help? I'm 56 and have to be 60 for shelter in my old area. 😪 I'm.upset this is not fair. Where r my human rights?

poppy123456

Is the area you currently live and your old area in the same local Authority? (council) If not then for your old area you will need to apply for social housing to put your name on the list but usually you need to have lived in that area for a certain length of time or have a local connection to that area.

It's very difficult when there's no bidding system and there's no easy answer here. Try contacting shelter to see if they can help you further.

https://www.shelter.org.uk/

You could also refer yourself for a needs assessment as this can often help to be rehoused quicker.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

MissMel

Hi Anthony

Have you tried renting a flat from a private landlord in the area you love? You may be able to get help with a deposit for a flat from the council. Also try Googling the name of the council and then disability advice and see what comes up. There may be a disability charity there where you can get some help.

Also contacting housing associations directly is a very good idea as it sometimes works. There are many types of social housing, where you can live in a property owned by private landlords and managed by the housing association. These usually have tenancies for around 5 years.

Hope things look up for you soon.