Council Housing?

[Superstylin']

Chaps,

I'm in a bit of a sticky predicament and wondered if anyone on here could lend me a hand.

Currently, I live at home with my Mum and Sister, unfortunately we're a struggling poor family who have very little money to go around and have to 'make-do' with a lot of stuff. Our house only consists of 1 bedroom, bathroom, small living room and small kitchen. I am eternally grateful for my Mum (single parent) bringing me and my sister up but as expected i'm starting to want my own 'space' which I currently do not have.

Right now my situation is this, i'm not far off 17, i've done myself proud in the way I decided to stay on at 6th form and also get myself a job. I hunted high and low for a while and managed to get through all interview processes at Nationwide and get myself in (beat 5 other adults so chuffed!) I start in a week and i'm very much looking forward to it. I'll be working part time (Mon-Fri 4-8pm) which fits perfectly around schooling etc.

Obviously, i'm not in a position to buy or rent my own place and I certainly will not be in that position for quite a number of years. So, will I be eligible for a council house and at what age can I apply?

Please, don't take this as a sob story because it's not, being from a poor household has done nothing but help me build character and give me the motivation to work hard and make something of myself. I'm just asking for help and a shove in the right direction.

Cheers,
Michael.

(Who is very cold because the damn heating don't work in this 300 year old cottage )

Edited by Superstylin' on Saturday 4th October 15:36

[Xaero]

Generally men get very low priority for council housing, you can apply at 16 I believe.

An old neighbour of mine he has 2 kids at the weekend (ex has them during the week, and has been waiting for 7 years now.

If you're a girl, get some love syrum in your womb and you'll have one in a few months.

Unfortunately, you're going to have to do it the hard way unless you live in a area with a lot of spare houses.

[benzo]

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

I believe the waiting lists are horrendous, so its maybe worthwhile checking out rented accomodation as well.

btw, good luck.


eta:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4...

Edited by benzo on Saturday 4th October 15:46

[Penny-lope]

Yeh I agree, single men go at the bottom of the list. I have a mate who lives in a village up north. Tonnes of houses have become empty in the area, but females, or druggies from Glasgow have been given the empty properties. He has now been on the list for nearly 3 years

I myself, am a single mum, who was classed homeless when I split from my ex. So far I have been offered one property, in the one house type I specified I did not want Ended up just renting, and I am planning on getting back on the property market next year sometime.....fingers crossed

[thinfourth2]

Unless you can get pregnant i'm afraid you are screwed

[Stevenj214]

Is your mum's current house a council house? If so, you'll probably find that the property is classed as 'overcrowded' at the moment and an application for a 3 bedroom house could be relatively easy.

[diesel head]

If you are in the 6th form are you intending to go to university, as that is one of the easiest oppotunities for getting your own space, so it may only be a room in a halls of residance but it is you own space. I know that means waiting a year or two but it may actually be quicker than getting a council house.

Don't worry about not being able to afford uni you should get a decent loan if your mum isn't too well off and I got a job in term time and the holidays to help support myself.

[V8mate]

Look out for house-shares in your area.

Although you are technically under-accommodated in your current situation, no-one is in any way 'at risk'. i.e. little kids etc.

So life will be what you make it.

Don't even ask what the State can do for you. Make a conscious decision at 17 that you're not going to be a burden on the State, i.e. your fellow citizens, keep on with taking positive steps in your own right and you'll live long and prosper.

(Have just read my message back to myself - I'm not sure I could have squeezed any more cliches in The message is serious though, even if my choice of words is lacking this cold, Saturday afternoon. )

Edited by V8mate on Saturday 4th October 16:32

[Superstylin']

Stevenj214 said:

Is your mum's current house a council house? If so, you'll probably find that the property is classed as 'overcrowded' at the moment and an application for a 3 bedroom house could be relatively easy.

We're not currently in a council house, although i believe my mum has been on the list for a good few years.

diesel head- Eventhough I am at 6th form I do not intend on moving onto Uni. To be quite honest I am a worker, right now I feel i've spent too long in education and would rather just get out there and start earning a living. I am, however, incredibly ambitious and fully intend to start my own business when I find my feet and especially what i'm good at.

V8Mate- I understand what you are saying, thank you. Am I more likely to be considered due to having to share a room with my sister (12)? I can promise you now, there is no way in hell I ever intentionally want to 'sponge' off of the state/tax payers. I fully intend to start working full time when out of education. It's just right now, I am in need of help.

Also, I guess in a sense I am lucky to be in Swindon (Never ever thought i'd say that! ) but, we do seem to be an ever expanding town with more and more houses being constructed each year.

Thanks chaps, truly grateful.

[Puff Puff]

There may be alternatives to council housing. The YMCA operate Foyers (housing for young people). I don't know what the criteria is but it may be worth following up. Have a look here:
http://www.ymca.org.uk/bfora/systems/xmlviewer/def...

[speedy_thrills]

Nothing useful to add but I just wanted to wish you luck, work hard at whatever you do and luck will often run in your direction. I hail from a similar background (single mother, eldest of three children, moved out at 16), you have the ability to make a real difference to the lives of people you care about .

[Shaw Tarse]

Superstylin' Are you for real?
You claim to be 16?
Yet ur spellin an grammer is good?
You want to work/make something of yourself?
Expect nothing from the govt.
But PH will welcome you

[Baby Huey]

It might be worth speaking to a housing assoc. to see it they can help.

It depends what is around in your area.

Best of luck.

[fido]

thinfourth2 said:

Unless you can get pregnant i'm afraid you are screwed

Ironic, don't you think? Unless you get screwed you are screwed. I'm sure Alanis would think so.

[shadowninja]

Shaw Tarse said:

Superstylin' Are you for real?
You claim to be 16?
Yet ur spellin an grammer is good?
You want to work/make something of yourself?
Expect nothing from the govt.
But PH will welcome you

His grandma is indeed very healthy.

[shadowninja]

fido said:

thinfourth2 said:

Unless you can get pregnant i'm afraid you are screwed

Ironic, don't you think? Unless you get screwed you are screwed. I'm sure Alanis would think so.

No, she'd say unless he can get pregnant then he won't have a council house because her definition of ironic is incorrect for most of the song.

[T_Pot]

Cant help sorry, just wanted to say how well and adult you come across in your post.

I wish you well

[Superstylin']

speedy_thrills said:

Nothing useful to add but I just wanted to wish you luck, work hard at whatever you do and luck will often run in your direction. I hail from a similar background (single mother, eldest of three children, moved out at 16), you have the ability to make a real difference to the lives of people you care about .

speedy thrills-Thank you for the comment. If you don't mind, I might drop you an email sometime with a few questions?

Shaw Tarse- I am indeed real and my spelling and grammar is only good because I feel it has to be, not a lot of ways to present yourself on an internet forum (first impressions count and all that ). I dream big, aim high and work hard at it! I'll start checking the Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini forums when i'm feeling low.

[mickk]

T_Pot said:

Cant help sorry, just wanted to say how well and adult you come across in your post.

I wish you well

Its not right is it, he should be out tormenting old ladies and drinking Stella with his hoodie mates

[M400 NBL]

Finish your education, work hard and then either rent/buy your own place or share with friends/trustworthy strangers.

You don't need to rely on council housing with your potential