How do you deal with the Glasgow Housing Association?

Question

My hubby and I have a 10 month old son. All three of us live in a studio flat, which, as you can imagine, is extremely cramped. We found out recently that we are unexpectedly expecting again. This has put us in a bit of a rush to find a bigger flat. Problem is that we are unable to rent privately a flat large enough for a family of 4 due to our financial situation. So, we turned to our local HAs for help. We have pending applications with a few HAs and are turning in other applications this week for other areas. Problem is, the ones we have applied to couldn't care less about our situation, and pretty much said we've got almost no chance of ever getting a place, even when we mentioned the pregnancy situation and are prepared to turn in supporting evidence to that effect. We're hard-working family people who need a hand - what can I do to try and expedite our claim or get them to see the severity of our situation? We're not looking for handouts - we just genuinely need help.

Any advece would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who have been in a similar situation.

Thank you very much guys.

Note: Second child was not planned!

Answer 1

Not sure in Scotland but in England the housing don't have to offer you anything until the child is over 1 years old as technically they can sleep in the same bedroom as their parents.

When the council houses became housing associations in England, local councillors were kept on the housing board to make sure that they gave houses to people who really need them. So I would make an appointment with your local councillor and see it that helps.

My son was living with his girlfriends parents and they had a baby and our large local housing association (used to be the council) were not interested in giving them and their baby a house. They were lucky and got a house of another very small housing association who were a lot more sympathetic to their plight.

I hope you manage to get something soon.

I hope this helps. :-)

If I find anything else out I will come back and edit. I have family in Glasgow so will ring them and see if they have any ideas.

Answer 2

I would write to your MP and local councillors and every sodding politician in Glasgow and ask them what they are doing to alleviate the problems of people in similar circumstances and what they will do to help you specifically.

Write in as much tedious detail as you can manage and then follow up with letters to ask why the first has not been answered, another to test whether they've read the last two and another to inquire what the point of the Labour government is if they don't / can't do anything to help ?

Then start pestering central government - I'm sure Labour's website will have a contact page for Mr Blair.

That's what they are there for!

Answer 3

GHA don't give a monkey about your situation and neither do any of the local HA's. I was on the list for 7 years and not once did I receive an offer, despite 6 of us in a tiny 2 bed flat. I ended up buying with a 100% mortgage. I suggest you do the same.

Unless you are an asylum seeker you will get sweet FA from any of them.

Good luck.

Answer 4

have you tried your local council or does the housing association. look after all council property,the thing is you will not be considered for larger property until the baby is born and then you will probably be considered, as far as private property is concerned vou could always apply for housing benifit

Answer 5

i'm in exactly the comparable boat. i understand we sign a criminal settlement meaning we live quietly and with attention for others. you will discover that those human beings get their exhilaration out of your inflammation so dont enable it get to you and slowly you will start up triumphing. tale responsibily for the situation, Get your self some earplugs and earmuffs, be effective to him and attempt to form alliance which incorporate your different neighbours and that i assure he will develop into much less and much less of a nuisance.

Answer 6

just rally put pressure on them my mum took me and my 3 sistersd down the office and said her you go look after them i carnt in a 1 bedroomed flat
left us ther for 30 mins by the time she came back social workers ever one was invoved in 6 weeks we were move d to a 4 bedroom house
im not suggesting that you dop that im just saying that there r peole in simlar sittuations to u good luk

Answer 7

Housing problems are the same all over the UK. Why did you have another child when your living circumstances are so bad? I know these things happen but has made it even worse now for you.