Clearly I'm having a mindfuck day so it's easier to quote the full letters instead of poring over them and reducing them for you. They might come in useful for me though. It's a way of having it all in one place to help me, if I need help, in the future. If you are 'into' housing, you may find it interesting.
Dear Ms De Nim
I am very sorry to hear that you are feeling vulnerable. However, I understand that you would like further information on the questions you have raised.
1 What does this mean in terms of the council offering us permanent accommodation?
If the Council did offer you accommodation in the private sector, it would only bring our duty to house you to an end if it was (a) on an assured tenancy (which is equivalent to a secure tenancy) or (b) you agreed, formally and in writing, that the offer brought our duty to an end. In practice, Camden is not currently offering accommodation in the private sector on assured tenancies. Consequently, no applicant is required to accept an offer of accommodation in the private sector if they do not want it. Some applicants do accept Qualifying Offers of accommodation, but this is normally when they accept accommodation through our Private Renting Scheme, and increase their housing points as a result.
2 What does this mean in terms of the Choice Based Letting System?
We would expect you to accept a reasonable offer of alternative accommodation, and, if you did not, our duty may cease.
Applicants for permanent accommodation can choose the properties they bid for. This means our housing duty will not cease if you bid successfully for accommodation, but decide, after viewing it, that you do not wish to accept it. The Council has, in the past, discharged its duty when an applicant has viewed a property, formally accepted it, and then, some days later, refused it without a good reason.
We also have an Active Bidding Scheme for applicants in temporary accommodation with points over a certain level. Their Support Worker will support them to bid for 12 months. If they have not made a successful bid after 12 months, the Council will make them an offer of accommodation. If they refuse that offer without good reason, the Council’s duty to house them will cease. Your Support Worker will advise you about the Active Bidding Scheme if you ask them.
3 I have not been shortlisted for any flat since then, three years ago. Why not?
This is simply because other bidders have had higher points. We have advised you that you may increase your points through the Private Renting Scheme.
4 The applicant becomes intentionally homeless from their temporary accommodation; How?
The legal definition of intentional homelessness is where a person becomes homeless as a consequence of something they have deliberately done or failed to do.
For example, if someone is responsible for acts of nuisance to other residents, and is evicted as a result of these, they may be considered intentionally homeless. Or, if someone fails to pay their rent, and is evicted as a result, they may be considered intentionally homeless. If there are any specific cases you have in mind, where you are unclear if it might lead to intentional homelessness, please let me know.
I hope this answers your questions.
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