The One To Watch. - Page 2

Ianto.W. · 28-11-2006, 00:10

Quote:

vicks I do think tealeaf has a fair point

Do not encourage him vicky, he bites everyone you included.

garinda · 30-11-2006, 01:08

Evicted, BBC1 this evening.

Moving and brilliantly informative programme about the plight of homeless families living in the UK today.

As much as it didn't fit in with some people's perceptions that all homeless people are prostitutes or drug addicts, this programme featured two families, one on Weston Super Mare, the other in Nottingham. Both families became homeless through no fault of their own, and were fighting to keep their children from going into care.

The children were amazing. Bright, funny, but sad because they didn't know were they would be from week to week, and also the councils wouldn't take responsibility for their education because they didn't have a fixed abode. Both sets of parents were examplary, considering the circumstances in which they found themselves. Though one mother found the situation so stressful she was tearing her hair out, literally.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pro...homeless.shtml

130,000 children of June this year are classed as homeless.

Thirty years have passed since Cathy Come Home, sadly it is still a problem for some.

Tinkerbelle · 30-11-2006, 09:03

My mouth just dropped in shock when it said in the end credits that the family with the family 2 little girls should never have been evicted from their home in the first place. Their local council had admitted it was an housing benefit error. Absolutely disgusting!

Tealeaf · 30-11-2006, 10:38

I saw some of this last night, but switched off in disgust. Was the cost to the council of having to pay B & B for these lazy, fag-smoking wastrels mentioned?

Tinkerbelle · 30-11-2006, 12:48

I don't think it's intentional, but you don't half make me chuckle Tealeaf

Ianto.W. · 30-11-2006, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkerbelle

My mouth just dropped in shock when it said in the end credits that the family with the family 2 little girls should never have been evicted from their home in the first place. Their local council had admitted it was an housing benefit error. Absolutely disgusting!

Bang on the nail Tinkerbelle, should not some form of financial redress be forthcoming to this unfortunate family, from this disgraceful local authority.

Tinkerbelle · 30-11-2006, 12:53

I don't think any amount of financial redress can ever make up for what that family had to endure, thanks to an 'unfortunate' error!

bullseyebarb · 30-11-2006, 13:00

I remember the original docu-drama with clarity.

The moral of the story.....do everything in your power to avoid being at the mercy of the local County Council.

jambutty · 30-11-2006, 13:40

I believe that it cost £75,000,000 to accommodate 130,000 children for a few days in B & B. That is almost $600 for each child or put another way about 10 months rent in a Council house. Not very cost effective.

The two families portrayed did not make themselves homeless – it was the bureaucratic incompetence of the Council that was the cause.

I have no doubt that there will be some families who got evicted for just reasons but the majority find themselves on the street through circumstances beyond their control.

garinda · 30-11-2006, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullseyebarb

I remember the original docu-drama with clarity.

The moral of the story.....do everything in your power to avoid being at the mercy of the local County Council.

One family in the programme last night had no choice. The father was working as a landscape gardner, and because he was on the minimum wage was eligible for housing benefit. There was a delay with payement, and lack of communication between the housing benefit office and the coucil's rent collecting office. This resulted in them being evicted.

Basically this family was made homeless because of a late benefit payement from one office to another. This was no fault of the family. The council then decided that the family had made themselved intentionally homeless, and thus were not eligible to rent another council house. They then had a struggle to find a house to rent because of a limited housing stock in their area, most of whom require a guarator and a two months rent as deposit. Not always easy when families are on a limited income.

Seeing these kids heating tins of beans on radiators so they could have a warm(ish) meal was heartbreaking. Cooking isn't allowed in these temporary B & B's, so it was that or a Pot Noodle.

SPUGGIE J · 30-11-2006, 19:48

Just shows how much pen pushers care and why I dont trust them especially the council. They could have made inquires but basically couldnt be bothered so when it was proven that it was their (councils) fault they heap more misery on the family and yet there is no comeback or recompense.

garinda · 30-11-2006, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

Just shows how much pen pushers care and why I dont trust them especially the council.

There was a family sat in a shelter in a blustrey Weston Super Mare, as a cold evening was drawing in. These people didn't have anywhere to go, and it was only the organisation Shelter threatening the council with legal action, that they agreed to put them in a B & B for the weekend.

Mancie · 30-11-2006, 23:46

I did not watch the programme.. I could do without the depression to be honest.. but it seems like yet another issue that is pushed under the carpet and brought up every now and then. The council housing system seems to vary in different parts of the country. I know of a married couple with 2 kids that defaulted on there rent in the private sector and the council (southwark london) would not even give them an offer for a council flat. they contacted carlisle council and were offerd a 2 bedroom house and given the choice to view 8 houses.. the council were almost begging them to re-locate to carlise.

I've seen posts on here complaining about houses being built in the "greenbelt" what rubbish.. the population is growing and more houses need to be built whether they be "affordable" homes or otherwise.

garinda · 01-12-2006, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie

The council housing system seems to vary in different parts of the country.

It is. The family were advised by the council in Weston Super Mare that they should try Taunton council twenty five miles away, which they had to do. This meant to keep their kids in school, they had to take them on a fifty mile round trip everyday. Madness.

Mancie · 01-12-2006, 01:32

just like the old "get on yer bike" crap we got .. why should families move themselves and kids to unknown towns just for somewere to live?..2006 and we still have people trapped in this sort of ****!