Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,259
I am contact with a young man (20's) who is sleeping on a friend's floor having just split from his girlfriend, he can only stay for another night or 2 and then has to be out, the council have told him he is not entitled to any help for emergency accommodations, he has just started application for universal credit. He doesn't want to sleep on street but doesn't know where to turn, any advice please?
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Surprised that DDC cannot help as I thought that Central Government insist on local authorities covering this sort of problem. The outreach centre closed at the end of February so his best move might be to contact one of his local councillors who may have the right contacts or at least lobby on his behalf.
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Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,259
The gateway this morning had no one he could talk to, he had to phone housing help line, he was told he was not eligible for help.
Cllr was my next thought, he has e-mailed porchlight as well for advise.
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Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
I do hope he finds the help he needs, sadly far to many find themselves in a similar position. The council really should give advice on this and at the very least point him in the right direction.
Emmaus or Citizens Advice are the only other places I can think of apart from DTC office.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,818
I would definatly contact Emmaus.I think they have accomodation for up to 20 or more people.Although they are often full its worth a try.I dont know how they operate now but if homeless you used to be able to at least get a hot meal there,get a wash and even some clothing if needed even when they had no spare rooms.
Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
Is there any further news on this situation.?
Thank you.
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
No UK citizen should be on streets let alone a young man who would be in danger or anyone at that. Emergency accomodation should be available at all times to help young people, what country to do we bloody live in?
If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
no ex military should be on the streets either
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
There was one who deserved to be Brian, remember the one who parked himself outside DDC's offices?
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
vagely howard,making a point I believe.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
And a bad one at that Brian, all on public record that he rented a house for over a year without paying a penny in rent despite receiving housing benefit. By the time the landlord gained an eviction order there was not much left of the interior and the neighbours complaining of criminal behaviour there.
DDC then housed him a hostel but his behaviour got him thrown out, then he complained that the council weren't helping him.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
oh dear howard,not good then.
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,259
christine.a wrote:Is there any further news on this situation.?
Thank you.
He is currently staying between 2 friends sofas during the week and as both have families, we are giving him our living room for the weekend and meals of an evening, porchlight are yet to respond to contact email and he I drafting a letter to Cllr Mills.
DDC housing have said he does not qualify for emergency accommodation, and Is only eligible for up to £59 p/wk towards a HMO or shared flat, (don't understand what that's about) but he has to find that himself! Has signed on to UC and has his first meeting next week.
Currently he is looking for any kind of work but would ideally like to be doing something in the IT field.
I am sure if he can find a place of his own he will be fine but how long goodwill will last is an unknown.
Thanks to all responses, I will update as/if/when anything changes.
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Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
Maybe the town can supply the funds for a couple of buildings rotting in Dover then be run as Charity to give emergency living conditions and help to homeless, such as this boy on their way when times hit hard. I mean people lives matter when people hit by hard times there should be net for them. I know the emmaus help but is only limited. So much others can do also, as seen nowhere for this boy to go to and would be on street if not for kindness of common folk. Maybe someone could start a Charity going to buy some building to help this situation because Council are not going to do it. Only cater mainly if you are a girl which goes more for you. Life can be one big bit of shit with money that could be used for a good cause such as this boy.
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If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Maybe someone could start a Charity going to buy some building to help this situation because Council are not going to do it.
Rest assured Love Dover are on the case, His Holiness the Mayor and consorts will attend to the matter.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#9, why wasn't his rent paid direct to landlord, and why wasn't safa involved.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
and thirdly if ha has ptsd why wasnt he being treated for it.
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,259
Brian Dixon wrote:#9, why wasn't his rent paid direct to landlord, and why wasn't safa involved.
•He would have chosen to have it paid to him.*
•He would have to request SSAFA assistance.
•He would have to request and attend treatment.
*Under new universal credit rules housing benefit is only paid to landlord under special circumstances.
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