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Council Bungalow Saga.

UkGuy94

Hello everyone,

I'm 29 and purchased my current home in March 2023, (It's in a new local authority to the one i grew up in)

Since my purchase, i have diagnosed with a progressive illness and my home is no longer suitable for me.

I have had an Occupational Therapist out who's done a housing assessment form she's told me to apply to my council for a bungalow which i have done.

I have since been rejected, due to not having a "Local Connection"

They want me to have lived in the area for at least 2 years before i can apply.

I am suffering enormously in my home, i cannot sell it for a profit and buy a bungalow due to the house value.

I will be walking away with £400 if i am lucky after costs.

I am completely stuck as to what to do, i have contacted my Local MP who got a generic response from the council, basically wait for the 2 year anniversary.

Citizens advice are coming for a home visit to try and help me soon, but i am not confident.

Can anyone please help me with where to go with this.

Thanks,

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Comments

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @UkGuy94, did the Occupational Therapist not make any recommendations about how you could possibly make your current home more accessible at all? That's just my initial thought, you already have a home but it is possible to modify it to make it so you can live there at all?

UkGuy94

Hi, no they didn't.

The house is far too big, as i said i was going to have my life here but things have changed.

UkGuy94

They've got me equipment from the British Red Cross which i am enormously grateful for.

UkGuy94

Bump

Kimi87

Would you have enough money to buy a ground floor flat instead, after selling your home?

UkGuy94

Hi thanks for your comment.

I would only have around £500 - £1000 profit from selling my home after costs so sadly not.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @UkGuy94. Have Citizens Advice been to visit you yet?

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/917698#Comment_917698

I'm not quite understanding this. You said profit a couple of times in this thread. But what matters is the overall amount you get back in the bank, not just the profit. Has the house lost more value than the mortgage payments you've made? Could you not move elsewhere and re-mortgage?

Realistically the waiting lists for council bungalows are huge, even if you could get on the list. There will already be many people waiting for bungalows. If you're a single person, you'll probably have to wait for a one-bed bungalow which are even rarer. Obviously it's area dependant but I'm in a high band (need to move due to medical need) and am still 20+ down the waiting list on the rare occasion a one-bed bungalow does come up near me. Given up any hope of getting one myself, hoping to move to a more suitable private rental now.

frozenpelvis

sorry you have found yourself in this position but as you probably have gathered from the above post. This is a situation very common now. Even if you get on the council list it will still be on a waiting list as there are many people in our position waiting for appropriate accommodation. The OT should have explained this to you. Did she/he discuss with you about applying for a grant to make your property more suitable for your needs? Maybe have a talk with the housing department and discuss how realistic a move would be for someone in your position, I.e. the waiting time even after the two years.
Not sure what it is like in the area where you live in regards to the housing, but if it is a local authority that has a housing problem, like so many areas do it’s going to be an uphill battle and will unfortunately exacerbate your health conditions so please try and not stress yourself out. I hope the CAB does have some positive answers for you.

UkGuy94

Hi everyone,

I have an appointment tomorrow with CAB via a home visit and a lady from the council is coming along to.

I will keep you updated on what they say.

frozenpelvis

Thank you, UkGuy94, hope all goes well for you.

Jimm_Alumni

I hope your home visit goes well today @UkGuy94, do let us know how you get on

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