Need to move for medical reasons

SJ97

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate some advise. I live in a housing association property and had an assessment earlier this year with an o.t who said my accommodation is unsuitable for me as there is 3 flights of stairs, with no lift. I've handed the o.t report along with every medical evidence/letters and a complete list or my medication to my the housing association who sent it all to their personal medical professional. They put us in band B but wouldn't say roughly where we stand with waiting time. (This doesn't include the fact there's a 10yr age gap between my son and daughter.)

I have Fibromyalgia, with pretty regular flare ups, a failed plantar fascia release on my foot basically making the pain worse instead of better, I have degeneration of the L4 and L5 lumbar facet joints and hip bursitis. I am regularly going to appointments and in and out of the house and going up and down those 3 flights of stairs multiple times a day has become such a struggle on bad days I have to go up on my bum with my 2yr old walking next to me.

I'm at my wits end with my current living situation that I'm almost in tears all of the time. It doesn't help that it seems our local council are even taking my evidence into consideration.

Any help would be so gratefully appreciated.

poppy123456

I don't know what your banding system is where you are. In my area last August I was moved up to band B urgent medical priority for an adapted 2 bedroom property. In my area this is the highest band for someone in my situation, which seems like the same as yours. I was told the waiting list is very long and I could be waiting 2-3 years. I didn't get my hopes up but I could bid for the properties I liked.

I can't remember exactly how many properties I placed a bid on but something like 5 or 6. In mid December I received a phone call to offer me a 2 bedroom house. A few days later I went to view it and met my OT and housing officer at the property. I accepted it and signed the tenancy agreement just a couple of days later. I moved in with my daughter on 13th January 2024.

Are you able to place a bid yourself? If so then all I can advise is to make sure you bid because you can't be offered anything unless you bid. Please make sure you would want to live in the area you bid because if they offer you something and you refuse this may go against you.

It can be a very long wait due to housing shortages but fingers crossed you'll be as lucky as I was.

Kimmy87

Unfortunately there are often long waits across the board within social housing, even for those with the highest banding. Demand is so high and supply so low.

There should be an appeals process if you are unhappy with the band they have given you. Your local council should have details of their allocations policy & appeal process on their website.

In the meantime while you are waiting, perhaps look at practical ways to minimise using the stairs. When I was in a house I ended up having two sets of things ie clothes and other items I needed day to day one on each floor, and would often spend large parts of the day either upstairs or downstairs.