Please read the previous part to this series here

This week I received an email from my caseworker asking me to fill out homeless forms and provide more evidence. They told me that they’re waiting for a response from my landlord, and I need to go in for a face-to-face meeting next week.  

Clearly the suggestion that all our phone calls be recorded didn’t appeal to them.  I responded to the email saying I was free to attend, and I will bring the outstanding documents with me. My bug bear with all of this is why my caseworker is waiting for a reply from my previous landlord to move forward?  

That landlord has made it clear they don’t want me in the property by changing the locks and refusing to let me gain access so I can collect my belongings. I feel drained sitting here waiting to find out when and if I am getting my belongings back.  

I just want to move on from this and get somewhere else to live. Why should I have to buy new documents. I’m also starting to fear that my stuff isn’t in the property, which will break my heart. I don’t want to be around anyone or see any of my family and friends. I’m missing appointments and my sleep pattern is a joke. I have just had my first Zoom meeting of the day and I’m shattered because I haven’t been working at all as a result of trying to sort this all out.  

I really understand now how so many people have ended up on the streets and given up working with the council. 

I’m literally on the verge of telling my caseworker I don’t even want their support. Part of me would rather risk it on the streets than deal with them.  

It also conflicts with the work I do locally with residents and as things stand, I’m gonna always side with them moving forwards by encouraging them to utilise the complaints process which I have avoided in the past.  

Honestly, we deserve so much better than the help we’re receiving. In the past I gave feedback to people who I thought would change things and I have always been told things are different now and that caseworkers can’t talk to people like this anymore.

Well, I have news for you, things have indeed changed mate, but not for the better. They have got worse, and more people are suffering with staff more focused on covering their backs rather than supporting residents.