I had to leave my social housing property of 18 years as my daughters and I with our two little dogs were in danger.
I managed to secure private rented in another town and 18 months later I had to leave due to the perpetrator finding my location.
My daughters and I were placed in emergency accommodation a B&B for 3 days and then in a Women’s Refuge 1 bedroom flat where we have been living for 7 months awaiting suitable rehousing.
I have been assessed as full main housing duty by the council and placed in Band B for a 3bed spaces I had to submit medical evidence and an occupational therapist assessment. My GP listed my diagnosis’s and medications Fibromyalgia, Chronic pain Syndrome, Severe Depression and anxiety, COPD and Asthma and G.O.A.R.D Primary care provide help and support and I am under Multidisciplinary Pain Management at the hospital and the suggested I would best be housed in an adapted house with a garden or non adapted with a view to occupational health assessment once housed.
I had been bidding on 3 bedroom properties adapted and non adapted for nearly 6 months and my youngest daughter had her 17th birthday. I was immediately told I will be no longer be able to bid on houses whether adapted or non adapted due to council policy that houses are only allowed to be offered to those with children up to the age of 16yrs.
I asked whether this decision had considered my health conditions and I request a review of this decision. I was told I could not review policy’s and that my housing application was processed as ‘homeless’ and not ‘medical’
After a lot of requests and threats of taking this further I was told the council OT could take another look 4hrs later I was told the decision remains the same flats or maisonettes only. I have requested a formal review and submitted a 3rd GP letter along with further medical evidence.
4 weeks later I have been told the decision has been upheld. The council refused to acknowledge any medical evidence from professionals.
I contacted Shelter in regards to a judicial review help and they advised this was something they could not help with any longer as they do not help with banding or allocations?
I contacted a local solicitor and they advised I write a formal complaint following the councils complaint procedure and if not satisfied with the outcome, they will act on my behalf in a judicial review.
I am so poorly and exhausted, we have been separated for 7 months from our two dogs who are staying with family as refuge do not allow pets.
I cannot understand why I have can not bid on adapted houses because my daughters are now 17yrs and 19 yrs.
I have not been able to bid for 8 weeks on any properties during the weekly cycle of the choice based letting scheme that is online. Due to each listing is unsuitable due to only being 2 bedrooms, no pets as communal entrances, high rises. The council has said they do not have any 3 bed flats or maisonettes on ground or first floor.
I am currently awaiting the response to my formal complaint and the local Councillor I contacted has said they will oversee this. I received a phone call last week from the council the team leader said she was calling me to save time as they will not be changing thier decision at first stage when I said I would prefer your answer in writing with reasons why in response to my formal complaint she began asking me if I use physical aids (which is apparent in the OT assessment and evidence) I answered I have a walking stick, she cut me off saying, so why do you require a house with stairs. I began explaining the several health conditions I have fluctuate on different days and I can use stairs inside a house with rails etc. I ended the phone call by saying I will wait for the response in writing please.
I thought I would share my journey so far of someone who has a disability and physical and mental health conditions who has escaped domestic violence and now feel trapped in the social housing system.
Is my story similar to anyone else’s and can anyone offer any help on if I am being indirectly discriminated against as has been suggested by the solicitor?
