I have been emotional the last few days and not motivated to do anything but cry. I’m also exhausted and burnt out from all that I’m doing in regard to getting my belongings back and searching for a new home. 

 I’m now processing what has happened to me and I’m left feeling that no matter what happens, my past mistakes will always be with me when it comes to housing.  

 It’s like you’re constantly reminded that your home life will never be stable with private renting. You’re literally at the mercy of rogue landlords who don’t want to repair anything and still get paid. 

 Everything else in my life from family, friends and work is going well. I have good people around me who share my beliefs, principles and values. The burning issue always seems to end up being housing and I can no longer ignore it and hope it sorts itself out.  

This experience has shown me the reality of the housing crisis in the UK and how it impacts single people. The lack of support from local councils is eye opening.  

The reality is that single people in the UK are simply not a priority. You can no longer go to the council and get support with interim temporary accommodation. You either earn too much or in my case earn too little to rent anywhere other than a room. 

I was told by my local council to go back to my friends which has left me relying on people who are struggling themselves. If I didn’t have my friend‘s I would have been on the streets so it’s no wonder that we’re seeing so many people end up there.  

It really does make sense to me now. The answer is for politicians to pursue economic policies that produce a decrease in private rents or for benefit caps to be lifted so that people on minimum wage can afford to rent somewhere safe and secure to live. In the long term, more council homes need to be built to replace those homes that have been sold, in particular for single people.  

There are not many council homes built for single people who seem to end up battling for a room against other professionals or students desperate for somewhere to call home.  

We need the Government to unfreeze local housing allowance as well, so people are able to stay in their homes. It has been frozen for over 2 years now, with no sign this will be changed. [Since this piece was written the government has pledged to unfreeze LHA rates. Please read this piece in Inside Housing for more information] 

I have now completed my forms for the room. I will have to find a copy of my passport and get references from my previous landlord and employer, which is going to be a joke considering my previous landlord still won’t  allow me access to my belongings, despite being contacted by the local police station.  

I will have to go through credit checks that take between 2-5 days. If all goes well with the checks, and the rent and deposit is paid, I will agree a day to sign the tenancy agreement and get the keys. Hopefully, I can be in my new room by the end of the week.