Housing advise please

[StrengthfromAbove]

I’m currently in a refuge with my kids far away from where I used to live but I have informed the refuge I would like to be rehoused where I would have support in a different area still far from my I’m former home. However she has not been supportive but went ahead and applied to that local authority but I think she didn’t put enough information cos I was awarded not a priority band . Please can anyone share your experiences because I’m thinking of contacting the council myself & ask why I was awarded this band, especially in my circumstances

[endoftherainbow]

Hello, I would contact the council yourself, or ask to see what information your worker gave. When I was rehoused from a refuge I was high priority, especially when I gave information of the support I would receive and the fact I needed to be away from my abuser. When you are in Refuge you are homeless and automatically a priority . Good luck x*x

[SunshineRainflower]

Hi there,

I definitely think to contact them and get them to look at your case again, you could give them more evidence/info as the lower band might have been due to lack of info. I agree as an abuse survivor in a refuge you should be one of the highest priority bands. I applied and was awarded a very low priority band too but I didn’t have much evidence of domestic abuse, I wasn’t living with my ex nor in a refuge so I assume that was why, in the end I went the housing benefit with private renting option. Contact CAB and your council and see what they say, ask for an appointment and make it clear you are a domestic abuse survivor as I am pretty sure most councils have to provide you with housing. You could also ask CAB or someone from Victim Support to be your advocate.

[StrengthfromAbove]

Thanks ladies for your response. I’ll call the council tomorrow & see what they say. I’m sad really & still think she didn’t put enough information. It’s a shame all she wants is for me to move in this area but all I want is for me & the kids to be where we can have support.

[StrengthfromAbove]

Oh well, I called the council asking why I was awarded this band & I was told that my application was not for homelessness but rather for rehousing😳. I then told them that I’m homeless because I’m in a refuge but I was then told that being in a refuge doesn’t mean they’ll give me priority & also that I have no connection 😢. It doesn’t look like the council is willing to help me. I really don’t know what to do now.

[Ayanna]

You need to sit it out in the refuge.
They might want to house you in a private accommodation.
Things have changed for the worse. Do not expect much.
Stand up for what you want.

[StrengthfromAbove]

Hi Ayanna, you are so write! The council has emailed back stating that my band won’t change & asking me if have I looked into private renting & that their decision is firmly because I have no connection to the area I wanted to move to. I’m now trying to do some research on how housing works. Thanks for the response x

[KIP.]

I would appeal their decision on the grounds that it’s for your own personal safety and protection that you move to an area where you have no connection. That if somebody recognises you and tells your abuser where you are then that would put your life in danger. It needs someone to explain the dynamics of domestic abuse. Keep fighting and see if you can get supporting evidence from women’s aid or the police etc.

[KIP.]

My women’s aid worker went with me to the housing department. She was great.

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