A MUM has shared her journey to securing a council property after finally moving into her dream home.
Ellie, 21, who is mum to her four-year-old daughter Khelani, initially lived with her own mother.
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However, due to Khelani’s autism and the specific needs associated with her disability, Ellie was no longer able to stay in that home.
As a result, she was placed in an emergency hostel for two nights.
Taking to TikTok, Ellie shared a video on her account ‘elliee.colex’, detailing her living situation.
She explained that the hostel had bunk beds, which she pushed together to create a larger bed.
READ MORE ON COUNCIL HOUSES
Despite this, she admitted she didn’t leave the room because she felt “scared.”
Following her stay in the hostel, Ellie was moved to a second emergency accommodation.
This time, the room was smaller, with only a single bed, but she managed to make it work.
The council then placed her in a Travelodge, where she is currently staying.
During this time, the council began offering Ellie potential private rental properties.
One of these was a two-bedroom house, which Ellie “really liked.”
Unfortunately, the landlord pulled out, meaning she was unable to move in.
Ellie was later offered a two-bedroom flat, but she declined the property, explaining that her daughter needed outdoor space due to her disabilities.
She also noted that the flat’s bathroom only had a shower, which wouldn’t meet her daughter’s needs.
The mum then viewed a third property – a two-bedroom house – which she described as “absolutely beautiful.”
Private landlords
However, as it was a private rental, the landlord was unwilling to accept tenants receiving housing benefits.
Ellie explained that she couldn’t afford the rent without this support.
The process was exhausting for Ellie, who revealed she had been living in a hotel for two and a half months.
She was next offered a studio apartment but chose not to visit it, stating it “wouldn’t work” for a mother and child.
I wanted to say no but I was told I can’t, I need to accept this
TikTok comment
Ellie recounted: “I declined that, and then I got a call from the council saying I had won a bid after three months of being homeless.”
Ellie had been on the council housing bidding list for four years prior to becoming homeless.
Now, she finally has a home – a house with a “very big” garden in London – and she plans to document its renovation in a series.
After five days of sharing the video, Ellie received 24.8k views, 587 likes and 46 comments.
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One wrote: “I wanted a house. They offered me a flat. I wanted to say no but I was told I can’t, I need to accept this.”
A second added: “I was homeless in a hotel for six months now in temporary accommodation in a flat.
“Here for three months hopefully I get housed soon. I’ve been bidding also for three years, so happy for you!”
A third asked: “How did you get council to help you, did you just go to the council?”
To which Ellie replied: “Well because I was homeless I called and told them that and they had a duty to place me in private accommodation, council or temporary.”
How can I get a council house?
To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
Once you have access to your local council’s website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you’ll most likely have to join a waiting list.
Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn’t guarantee you a council house offer.
Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on “points” or a “banding” system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council’s waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority.
The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list.
There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.