I am very sorry but I really need to vent I am currently at the end of my *insert expletive* tether as far as council and government agencies are concerned.

I have been made homeless before...i guess that was in part a lot of my fault but it was sorted really rapidly and we were rehomed in accomodation within a week in extremely reasonable accomodation. This is digress being in Barnsley.

I now find myself, homeless, jobless with two children under five and the hoops i have to jump thru will make sure I never have a weight problem again but will require vallium for the rest of my days.
I have a two week period in which I can bid for houses that rarely come up never mind being in the areas I need them to be for my sons school. At the end of this bidding period (a.k.a a JOKE) i will be offered a house. No guesses as to where we will end up. Now you can call me a snob if yer like and yeah fine my options are limited but my son has now been thru three seperations (not all mine I hasten to add) and all the emotional rubbish that comes with them and he is only 5 years old. I have the backing of his school and our doctor to do what they can to keep us in the area but it is looking like I may as well go looking for rocking horse excrement than bank on the council being able to help.
If I turn down this 'offer' they will no longer be required to house us.

Next: Money. I was very good sorted out my child benefit and child tax credit. Child tax credit being as quick as usual. Was advised by my solicitor to claim income support. Fine. Goes and does my bit in the local office, another telephone appointment and we all set to go for another appointment where I sign things....WRONG
Phone call this morning. In someones divine wisdom or pure evilness I can't decide which at the moment my appointment has been cancelled due to the fact my temporary address is not in sheffield :mad:. Aparently the local benefits office are inacable of understanding the words - homeless and temporary accomodation.
This would mean I have to wait till end of week possible next week to get my claim moving. Alternatively I can go to the area office for where I am living and have the claim start from today loose a weeks money and have the claim put back about two weeks.

This delay with the income support means that the hopes I had of finding private lettings is cut short because until they verify that I am indeed homeless penniless and with two children to support they won't allow me any grants or loans to secure accomodation.

So please accept my sincere apologies at tired and emotional but I just don't understand Sheffield City Councils need to complicate simple matters.

Things in homeless teams defence are....they made me 'officially' homeless quicker than most...current waiting time to be confirmed as being homeless is 33 days. Where is me cardboard box?

This is your undercover operative for s*** service in sheffield reporting. :loopy:

Moon

Do you know if there is any suitable accommodation in the areas in which you are interested?

I am basically looking at the HIllsborough area. I bidded on three houses last week, but because I hadn't been to all my appointments I missed out. It is also highly possible I wouldn't have won the bids anyway because they were two bedroomed and according the council they will only rehome us in a 3 bedroomed.

I have been told of a private rented house in Walkley, but my problem there is the bond and the months rent in advance...income support delay and all that. I cannot go thru estate agents because I have no credit rating and am unlikely to be able to afford their fees.

I have applications coming from housing associations, but that will just be to go on their waiting lists as none of them seem to have properties available.

There is a council house coming available in walkley that has enough bedrooms but you have to be on the list for 10 years to be given priority for that one.
I think one of my main problems is I cannot drive so going further away from my sons school makes things extremely difficult.

*sigh*
Moon Maiden

Moon this is awful. Can't the CAB help ? This is ridiculous..... what the hell are they expecting you to do ??
I had no idea about this - I assumed you were still living in Hillsboro'

My heart goes out to you, to be in that situation with kids is awful.

I noticed shades was looking shut up.

Try calling shelter, they should be able to give you some advice and i know it sucks to borrow money but is there any chance you could borrow a deposit and bond for the walkley house from someone.
not much help but will see what else i can find out, used to work in a hostel and knew me stuff back then but it is different up here.

I remember hearing somewhere that NOMAD can lend bonds...may be wrong, but they help homeless people... worth asking?

I have now gone thru all the private lettings numbers the council gave me and nothing is available.
Also gone thru all housing associations and applications are on the way for those that are able to house us.
Just placed a bid on the house in walkley....which I have to have been on the list 10 years for.

Been trying to get thru to shelter since 9am this morning. Been trying Housing Advice since it opened at 1...lots of people must be homeless or in trouble cos the line is constantly engaged.
I don't know anyone with the money to borrow, they all skint like me. I know I can claim a community care grant thing to help with setting up ..again..but until i get the claim for income support i canne claim anything cos i technically don't exist on their system until they press the right buttons.

I have calmed down a little now. Going to look more into the private rented house in walkley as aparently the landlord willing to be flexible but how flexible i don't know.

Would be grateful for any tips on how to find a house in this city....other than our fabulous accomodation guide here at Sheffield forum :D :thumbsup:

Moon

My friend was in a similar situation. She has just rented a nice house through a private landlord. She had to see if she would be entitled to more housing benefit as it was more expensive.

She has just heard that her claim has been approved and they will pay all the rent for her.

I'm not sure if this is of help or not but My friend did think that they would refuse her claim, they didn't though.

Thanks bonny...my initial problem is the bond and months rent in advance. I have been given the number for nomad (cheers Classic I couldn't remember their name :thumbsup: ) and will contact them about the bond.

Had an interesting conversation with the housing advice and whilst they said a few things that made me cringe I now feel I am not that penned into a corner and have a few more options available to me...my friend willing to put us up that long.

Also had a responce from a councillor - thanks to Max for those details mate!

Things are moving...at a snails pace but they are moving. Patience was never one of my strongest points but we been without our own place for 2 weeks now *sniff*

Thanks guys

Moon Maiden

This stinks!!! God knows how you're staying sane.

I think I'll resist bringing up words like refugees and assylum though, just to be on the safe side.:loopy:

What ever you do, don't let them persuade you to go into those awfull temporary accommodation dumps at Shalesmoor. They are awfull and scary. My mate ended up homeless and was put there for about 2 months with 3 young children, one being a new born baby. Stick to your guns girl and good luck.

the thing is, the council do have to house you, but if you do turn down accomodation which they offer you probably won't be offered anything for a long time.

going through a private landlord is good, we didn't have enough points to qualify for a council house but we found a gorgeous flat with an understanding owner and the council payed the rent because there just aren't enough council houses anymore - they are all being brought by the tenants.
Some councils will help you with a bond/ guarantee between themselves and the landlord, don't know if this happens in Sheffield though but its worth asking.

I dont understand...what is this "bidding" for a council house? I thought you just applied for empty houses and got allocated them...I remember when I wanted a council house in Sheffield back in 1980's I went down the town hall and apllied on the spot...there was none of this points system or "bidding"....I was offered one immediately on the Manor which I declined, and 2nd and 3rd choices in 2 other areas were offered the same day I applied.....has it all changed now? I wanted one at Lodge Moor but there was a 14 month wait or something stupid..

SOrry if I sound stupid but I only remember what happened when I wanted one and there seemed to be no problem being offered a selection of properties with immediate possession.

hi snowboarder

yes there is a new system for council houses in Sheffield. check out Sheffield Property Shop (http://www.sheffieldpropertyshop.co.uk)
That will give you a full low down

Moon

I did my work experience in a council housing office (Gleadless Valley), and it's been my Dad's job for 10 years or so - before that he worked in the homeless section.

If there's owt that you don't understand I could ask him.

I really feel for you, but (of course this doesn't make things any better for you) the system is really bad, and it's the people like you that lose out because of all the druggies and wasters who get the houses.

However you should, with kids, get into higher point rated housing shouldn't you? I cannae quite remember.

i'm really sorry to hear about the situation you're in, i really hope that everything works out for you, and the system comes up with the goods eventually. It makes me so mad when I hear about the terrible situations people find themselves in like this, and the apparent lack of help available. I really hope when I start working as a planner I can work to help solve problems like this :)

Could I just say how absolutely overwhelmed i have been by peoples support on this thread and thru pm's.

I posted to get this crap off my chest before I exploded with the sheer frustration of it all and whilst I had probably hoped for grunts and agreement and such, I didn't bank on the support you guys have given me not to mention the help and advice offered.

This has just about restored my faith in mankind and most defately given me an eye opener on the people of Sheffield - i don't think there a place in the world that could have peeps like you...

*cough cough* okay then enough of the soft stuff ;)

Moon Maiden

I have just read your posting with interest. I hope you find accommodation soon as it must be so disruptive for your children to be messed around like this. It has prompted me to register so I can tell you this and maybe make you smile. I have been disabled for years and was recently offered a part time job with a very understanding employer who works my hours around numerous hospital visits and my 'bad days'. I was really exited about this so applied for working tax credit, organised coming off income support and was told that my re-application for council tax benefit would be easy. HA HA!!! It is now 3 and a half months and I have taken in numerous documents from child minder, banks, tax credit office ( who, I must say, have been the most efficient and understanding of the lot) and most recently had to tell them of all my bank accounts. I mentioned I had an old Halifax savings book somewhere but couldn't find it. They said I had to give proof, so I went to the Halifax and asked for a replacement book. Apparantly they dont do this now, and the account has to be closed and another opened. As I only had £8 in there, I closed it and didn't bother with a new one as I have nowt to save!!! I have just rang the Council tax benefits dept to tell them and I have to go in to Howden House (5th time) with a letter from the bank to prove I have closed the account (with £8 in it!!!) I did ask if they were joking but, no, deadly serious. Am I on my own thinking this is a big joke? And people wonder why its easier to stay on benefits. I have been made to wish I'd never taken this job by income support dept and housing benefit, departments that are supposed to encourage you back to work. I know my experiences are minor compared to yours, but hope it helps knowing others share your frustration at the stupidity of SCC's beaurocracy.

Oh - right thanks for that guest2000. I went to an appointment - new deal for lone parents. Full of promises of fas tracking claims and helping peopl eback to work...gues I should have a carton of saxa available at future meetings then.

Fingers crossed folks...bidding on houses closes today and also hear about the possibility of a private rent.

Moon Maiden

What's the required bond and such, Moon Maiden?

Perhaps we could see whether we could raise some dosh on here?

There are lots of folks here who've benefited form your postings and from Shades and so perhaps we might be able to somehow contribute to a 'war chest' to get you out of this mess?

And yes, SCC are a wunch of bankers!

Joe

Wow thanks Joe, I am experiencing the most extraordinary amount of good fortune despite my current situation...of course if you take it from my perspective it could be something else entirely.

No phone call yesterday so I am presuming I was not succesful on my bid and the estate agents are all rubbish and not returning me call.

All hail Sheffield Benefits service who have managed to lead me on for over two weeks in my claim for income support...no one ever mentioning at any time that it should be done thru a different office. I am now waiting yet another week without benefit till they find their arse and elbow. Still Rotherham seem to have it together and have sorted me out a crisis loan - hurrah

onwards and upwards

Moon

not sure this thread still belongs in the sheffield section being that Rotherham is now being a complete arse.

We are now into our fourth week of claiming and sorting out housing ROFLMAO
After thinking I was getting somewhere thanks to two guys via Sheffield and Rotherham office - they have found yet more hoops for me to jump thru. Before they can even start my claim they have to verify who I say I am by me providing last three addresses? This they couldn't do whilst I was sat there on Friday with all my identification?

I have found a house....sort of. It is in an ideal place for my sons school. 3beds, nice landlords ideal. All they need is confirmation that I will get housing benefit....except...I can't get housing benefit can I cos I haven't got income support. And I cannot get income support until they verify who I am...so I am still homeless and also without access to a grant from social cos I have no benefits and no money till tuesday...which is child benefit...cos child tax credit are still finding arse from elbow.

No word on houses I have bid for at the council...I don't hold out much hope considering SCC think it a great idea to demolish most of their housing stock. Homeless got no chance...I reckon me and the kids would do well sleeping in the rubble? Whaddya think?

It says on the property shop website and documentation with pride how SCC doesn't have a waiting list for houses...no they have lots of people given false hope with meaningless priority status living in chicken coup accomodation or on the charity of friends and relatives leaving young children without an education or a stable environment in which they can feel safe comfortable and happy.

Anyone would think I want a million quid and a private mansion. I just want money to get by and a home for my kids....obviously far too much to ask.

Moon Maiden

Is this just sheffield that makes it so hard?
I'm sure I have never heard of it being made so awkward, it sounds like a complete nightmare.

I am sure that when they know you are wanting to claim benefits they assume that you are just sitting on your arse all day, so they make it really hard to get the money just to give you something to do, will their charity never end?

hi elf - I not sure if it is just sheffield.

I still haven't received any payments from child benefit, tax credits or income support (originally claimed 14/6/04).

Last Friday was a nightmare.
I had 5 quid to last me until they decided to pay something, income support refused to issue a payment and sent me to crisis loans who wouldn't issue a payment because of income support. They basically wrapped each other up in red tape and sent me from department to department.
Told me to call tax office who point blank refused to help saying they couldn't guarantee a payment and refused to acknowlege there was any human being on the planet who could help -
All this bearing in mind if I had used my last five quid to get me and the kids to the sheffield tax office and they refused to pay us anything we would have been sleeping rough that night on the sunny streets of Sheffield having no money to get back.
I couldn't either get payment from child benefit cos someone had already pressed a button so they could issue a payment.
I spent this weekend living off the charity of me friends on the hope that the button child benefit pressed would turn up some money in my bank this morning....only to find out they must have missed the button because I still got no money.

I currently looking to Thursday before I get money from Tax credits. Child benefit will take 4 days to arrive - if they found the right button, and I got someone from benefits advice coming to send a rocket up income supports rear end on Tuesday....

Still no word on the housing front....I bidded on 4 houses so far and not heard a thing. I would presume from that, that I haven't been successful.
I am hoping to get rehoused near my sons school for September - council or private) being that he is due to start his new school year and my daughter nursery - any more farting around and red tape not only with their health and welbeing suffer but so with their education. They didn't ask for all this to happen and I most certainly didn't.

Thank you SCC another royal **** up. Soory about all this like but it really does hep to whinge and moan a bit...

Moon Maiden :mad: