How can a person on disability and pension be homeless?
Posted by i3ond@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 14 comments
I have a relative in Milton Keynes who has a pension and is physically disabled and is having issues finding housing. Basically it sounds like he was on and off the street a few times this year and he got evicted from his old apartment and the hospital after being hit by a car. He claims that the local departments like rough sleepers or housing department are not offering any assistance(claims capacity issues). I'm from the United States so I'm not familiar with the UK welfare system. It would seem like there should be some sort of affordable housing or shelter that would be feasible with a limited income. Is this not the case? I'm not aware of any substance abuse or issues so I was wondering if this is a supply/demand or inflation issue.
Are there organizations or options for low income people in Milton Keynes or is it only government programs?
I'm just trying to get him off the streets for the long term. Any advice or experiences would be really helpful.
Devonian87@reddit
Yep Bassically the current situation is ridiculous. Long waiting lists for state homes and shelters. Property prices are unaffordable. The state will not help especially if it's a straight single man with an income such as a private pension.
fz1985@reddit
Straight? Would they help more if he wasn't Straight?
Savannah_Shimazu@reddit
no, I'm gay and trans, I was recently also homeless
No joke, MK Council actually recommended via a charity to move into a squat in London. I'd say being gay gets you the secret third option of "go and live in a crack den or something:)" if anything lmfao
Devonian87@reddit
Ah I know a straight trans guy that literally pulled the "Vulnerability" card and managed to get a social housing studio apartment. Dudes a 17 stone doorman!
Savannah_Shimazu@reddit
Oh that's lucky
I've got a diagnosis for CPTSD, amongst other things. I think it genuinely depends on whether the council like you or not.
In this case, the housing officer was directly related to an agent who was evicting illegally, and I am 100% sure messed with my file so that whenever I called I had to start over - always like it had been deleted (even the people who answered the calls thought this)
MKCC and MKDC corrupt as hell, conflicts of interests everywhere.
i3ond@reddit (OP)
I see, a every man for himself type of situation.
Devonian87@reddit
We had a Baby on the way luckily I worked right through covid 7 days a week. So managed to prove a significant income to get a private rent. But city prices would of only got us a room at proved income of 24000 a year.
IndefiniteLouse@reddit
Simply put there’s not enough housing and the housing benefit payments from the government are not enough to cover any kind of housing on its own. There’s multiple people chasing every rental property and landlords can be picky.
The rental system is at a real crisis point at the moment, especially if you’re on a lower income.
Queen_of_London@reddit
If he's of state pension age, or has a diagnosed disability, he would usually get help. If he has had issues in the places he's stayed, like fighting with people or drinking on premises where you can't drink, or bringing in a pet (dog or cat), he'll find it harder.
Some of the places offered might be hostels rather than permanent homes - that would be the eventual aim, but you usually need to go to a hostel first.
kittywenham@reddit
Even if he has money coming in to pay for rent lots of landlords just refuse to rent anyone on any kind of benefits, even pensions.
smallaxxe@reddit
Try the Goddard park housing cooperative they may have space
smallaxxe@reddit
Giffard Park Housing Co-operative Ltd 01908 618082
https://g.co/kgs/vWMpuz7
witchygypsy24@reddit
I’m no expert but would recommend Unity Mk. They’re a homeless shelter amongst other things & have lots of resources and connections to help. They run the winter night shelter too, for the cold months coming. Good luck to him. https://www.unitymk.org/services
rain3h@reddit
While it's hard to say without specifics there is indeed help, the homeless have shelters that offer pathways to a more stable home be that shared or supported care.
If he's physically disabled and requires extra support the council will accept a duty to house him and put him in temporary accommodation until a more permanent place can be found.
But there are caveats to the above, if your receiving help and you break the rules of your housing agreement they can evict you and it's considered making yourself homeless so they offer no more support .
Again without specifics it's hard to say but there is help there and someone telling you otherwise seems like they may not be telling you the whole truth.