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Feel like I'll never get moved to a more suitable property

Aphrodite_Persephone

I'm in Band B due to mobility but recently my local council have changed their housing policy on their choice based letting scheme. Now on all their listed properties the priority (in order) will go to

1 - Approved Homeless clients

2 – ***** council tenants

3 - All (non homeless) Homeseekers (The category I fall into as I'm a housinh association tenant).

So that means (which was clarified by my housing officer) that homeless clients in Band C are given priority over me. All the properties I've bidded for say "not prioritied" so how am I ever to be rehoused? I understand homeless tenants require a home but more often their current accommodation is suitable for their needs compared to me who cannot get outside as I can't use stairs and I can't even go upstairs in my place as again I cannot use stairs. I haven't had a proper wash in the upstairs bathroom for years, I have to sink bath in the downstairs toilet and been sleeping on sofa in my livingroom. All my housing officer said is "continue to bid" but what's the point as I'm getting nowhere. I've contacted my local councillors who just ignored my email and MP who said they don't deal with housing matters.

My life has already changed for the worse since the car accident and I feel like ending it all. I just want a suitable and more accessible property we can live in.

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Comments

poppy123456

All areas are different. In my area homeless is the highest priority over anything else.

If someone is homeless usually it means they are living in temporary accommodation such as hostels and even hotels sometimes and I wouldn’t class those as suitable accommodation.

When I was on the housing list I was band b urgent medical priority for an adapted property. I would only be considered for those properties. Although I could still bid on other properties but the chances of being offered were very slim.

The waiting times for a property can still be many years, even in band b. Is your band urgent medical priority or just band b?

I was very fortunate and only waited from Aug 2023 to Dec 2023 to be offered a property.

Are you able to have a stairlift fitted to help while you wait for a property?

Aphrodite_Persephone

@poppy123456 hiya oh I know what homeless means as I've been in the category before, in my local borough the old system was band A, B & C as highest to lowest, majority of homeless people were in Band C. I was placed into Band A while homeless only as I was experiencing domestic violence so was a priority. They only changed the system in February this year. I know I'm probably being a brat but it's terrible being unable to get outside and even utilise all of my home but all I can do really is keep checking and bid on something. I can bid on any property whether adapted or not.

I'm currently in Band B for medical priority. Unfortunately no a stairlift or throught floor lift can't be installed here. Yes you was very lucky to get rehoused so quickly. Did you get a house, bungalow or flat? Oh I meant their homeless accommodation is suitable in the sense that they can utilise and get around the property but then again I don't know everyone's personal circumstances.

Kimi87

I was band C with medical points and waited 13 months. I certainly consider myself lucky as was expecting to wait many years.

Aphrodite_Persephone

@Kimmy87 oh wow that's the first I've heard of medical being in Band C but I guess different councils allocation bands vary. I've been able to bid since January this year so I haven't really been waiting that long.

Did you get a house, bungalow or flat? Ideally I'd like a bungalow but I haven't seen any listed to bid on at all so I'm not hopeful.

Kimi87

A bungalow was my ideal as well, but it would have added years to my waiting time and I decided getting out of my previous home was the most important thing.

So I ended up in what is to be fair a lovely flat.

poppy123456

I have a 2 bedroom adapted house. I have a wet room with walk in shower and they installed a stair lift about a month after I moved in.

I couldn’t bid on bungalows because live with my daughter.

Yes I was very fortunate to be given a house so quickly. My previous house was privately rented and my landlord refused adaptations to the bathroom and stairlift. I was originally told not to get my hopes up because it could take 2-3 years. I only bid on 5 properties.

Ziida24_Birmingham

Hiya

I like these ideas about housing challenges. I'm so sorry to hear about the sad note of failure to move in your own house due to mobility difficulties.

I m also bidding for my son who is band A on medical grounds for 9 months now.He lives in a care home apparently. But recently i was advised by a friend to opt for private renting as long as jobcenter would pay the rent. Which indeed they agreed to pay.However, another freind advised that that is not a good decision as its not sustainable. B

But we are so desperate to live together for many reasons. The landlord agreed about adaptations to be installed.

I need guidance whether to take this bangalow or stay in the bidding queue?

Thank you

whistles

I knew someone in Band B and it took nine months. They were only able to move by accepting a property in an area they didn't want.

Have you been offered any properties that you have declined?

Ziida24_Birmingham

I have not declined any property. I'm so desperate that I will accept any property as long its adaptable

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957216#Comment_957216

There's a few problems that can occur when privately renting. If you've found a landlord that would accept you have you checked how much benefits would pay for help with the rent? Privately renting costs have gone through the roof in the last 4 or 5 years and very often help with the rent doesn't cover all of it. You then end up having to put money towards your rent, which leave you with even less money to live off. You can check the rates for the area you want to live here. You will need to make sure you drop the box down to how many bedrooms you're entitled to.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

The other downside is how long will that landlord keep you as a tenant? 1,2,3,4,5+ years?

You said they've agreed to adoptions, have you got that in writing? It's easy for a LL to agree on something just to get a tenant and then go back on their word and refuse it further down to road.

Having said all of that, social housing waiting lists can be many years, some are lucky and are housed quickly but then many people aren't so lucky.

I think only you can make this decision.

Luchia

The Banding and wait times vary from council to council.

My local council warn people that if your in a band below B Medical Premium your basically going to be waiting 10+ Years.

I was in Band B Medical Premium in 2022 and got a lovely 2 bedroom bungalow in a fantastic area, It took a total of 14 weeks from registration to getting the keys, it would of been quicker but the installed a brand new kitchen, wet room and decorated it throughout.
They wavered the age restriction on bungalows as usually they are 65+ and I’m only in my 30s