Homelessness advice

Angela96

We are family of 4. My daughter is deaf since birth, my husband off sick more then a year due to his spine issues and other medical reasons. Currently homeless in temporary house, not sure how long we can stay here. Council refuse to help us, as we have housing benefit overpayment since 2017 off £7000 due to my husband income, changed every months because of overtimes. 

We have to clear our housing related debts so the council can rehouse us. Unfortunately I can’t pay off in once, we do have a payment plan, but it takes 5-7 years to clear it. No one can help us, I tried couple of advice centres from help us, but no help, not sure where to turn for help. 

Any advice please? 

Adrian_Scope

Hi @Angela96, that sounds like a very difficult situation to be in. Have you spoken to Shelter at all about your circumstances? Also, it might be worth looking through your local authority's housing policy as sometimes they have a section about how they can use discretion based on certain situations.
Who is supplying your current temporary accommodation? Is it possible to speak to them to see if they have any further advice?

Angela96

Hi, I spoke with Shelter, the give m phone number to a solicitor, I called the solicitor but they refused to help me as they don’t have anyone who is able to help me. In my local authority housing allocation policy clearly state that they not accept  bidding where is debt towards council. The property I’m in atm the council find me trough letting agent. 

Adrian_Scope

It's usually rent arrears that they consider debt to council rather than overpayment of benefit. Have you spoken to them directly to check? Many can also apply discretion in extreme cases which is worth exploring if you're able to speak with someone on the housing team. 

Is the temporary accommodation suitable for you at the moment?

Angela96

I don’t have any rent arrears. The policy said any council related debt. The council said I can’t eligible for discretion payment, don’t know why.
The house where we are at the moment it’s small, I have to rent garage from the council so I can store my belongings there.  The area it’s not safe for us, now second time our car has been vandalised, I reported to police, to the council. Basically I don’t see any other option for us, because of the overpayment debts they ignoring us. 

hass

Hi   you could try your  local citizen advise bureau. 
Some have volunteer sociolotors  .
Or your local law center.

For free legal advise.
Apologies  for  typo  errors 

Angela96

Hello Wendy, thank you for your advice. 

Since I have my debt I’m paying it off since 2017. 

They are reducing about £90 towards my debt from my current HB payment. I have to clear my debt so I can start bidding again on property’s. As my housing account at the moment is deferred. 

The only option is to clear my debt in full.