How could being mentally disabled affect me accessing social housing?

[Deleted User]

Hi folks,
Ok, not sure of this post but here goes.
I've been fortunate for a long time now in being able to rent privately, in my case a bungalow,
However, since my mother passed , nearly 4 years ago now, the cost of renting privately has been only just affordable.
Now my landlord has decided to sell the bungalow we,re renting, me and my partner and carer.
So, looking at what's available privately now I realize that the prices people want is well too much for us, with house prices rocketing up , so it's the same with renting.
Anyway, social housing is obviously the way to go, being over 55 is a bonus, lol, but I'm wondering being mentally disabled rather than physically, how does it affect me, if at all?, 
I'll keep everyone posted as how things go if anyone is interested?
Thanks folks.
Alan.

janer1967

Hi there 

I'm not too sure you would get the same sort of priority banding to take you up the list also you may find more availability if you look at houses as well if you can manage the stairs 

There is very little stock of social housing and especially accessible 

You should get some priority for being moved out by your landlord but again priority goes to homeless and those with children 

Sorry this isn't probably what you want to hear a lot depends on area as well 

I wish you luck in your search 

[Deleted User]

Thank you. Can,t do stairs I'm afraid

[Deleted User]

Thank you. Much appreciated. 

Cher_Alumni

Hi @givingup I hope you're doing well this sunny Sunday morning

Just to supplement the fab information already received, this Shelter webpage on 'Who gets priority for council housing?' advises:

You must get some priority if you need to move on medical grounds.

For example, if anyone in your household has:
physical or mental health problems that are made worse by where you live
mobility problems that make it difficult to get around your home

When you apply, give the council details of:
how your health problems are affected by where you live
difficulties the medical condition or disability causes
any doctor, health worker or social worker who can support your application

So these are things to be considering prior to contacting your local council.  Also, your council should have a housing allocation policy on it's website that sets out who gets priority on waiting lists in your area.  

I have my fingers crossed you find the right home for you.  Please let us know how you get on and good luck.

22Putney

Hello, I have an issue with moving as well, and understand how remote the council etc seem to be, if you have a law centre you could ring them and I hope come out and visit you, there is a a section of the housing act called "homeless at home" if your home is unsuitable they can use this as leverage to help you move, they would be know more about this than I do....also there help is very good...I hope you have success.

[Deleted User]

Thank you all, it's horrible not knowing we're we might end up!

chiarieds

I don't know if a housing association such as in the following link may be able to help if they have accommodation in your area. Please see: https://www.advanceuk.org/

[Deleted User]

I tried the place mentioned above but they only deal with disabled people down south so no good for me personally as I live up north on the Wirral peninsula.

chiarieds

Sorry that wasn't helpful @giving up

[Deleted User]

Chiarieds, Don,t worry, we,ll all keep trying.
I'm surprised there isn,t a similar place up here ?

Tori_Scope

This link on the wirral.gov.uk website regarding help finding a home could be helpful if you haven't seen it already @givingup? This page on housing related support could also be helpful, particularly the details at the bottom. If you search online for housing associations in your area, there should also be some results.

[Deleted User]

Yes. I've been in touch with them, thank you. Sounds great doesn't it, but not as easy as they make it seem? 

[Deleted User]

And, no government, especially the nasty lot we've got in now, is going to make me move to an appalling area!!! I,d rather be dead!!!!!!!!!!

Caz_Alumni

Just wanted to get in touch with you @givingup to see how you were getting on? 

I can see that @Tori_Scope has made some suggestions about potential next steps for you. But from what you've said, it sounds like you've not had much of a positive response so far? I'm sorry to hear that. Could I ask, which organisations and services have you already been in touch with? And what was their response? 

I can understand that you must be feeling frustrated with your current situation. And I can appreciate why you've said that about the lack of government action in respect of the social housing situation. But I was wondering what you meant by 'not as easy as they make it seem'? If you could perhaps give us an idea of what issues you've encountered, we might be able to offer some additional suggestions about potential next steps

[Deleted User]

I spoke to my local citizens advice, or askus Wirral as there now called. They put me onto age concern uk as I'm over 55 and the lady I spoke to , who was really good, explained to me the obvious that homeless get priority, followed by people in abusive relationships , then women with kids , then psychically disabled, then maybe mentally disabled, so I would of thought that is discrimination?  Who knows? 
Sorry I don't feel too brilliant at the moment and with the government doing well in the local elections, it looks like we'll be stuck with a totally unfair system for the disabled as usual!