guardian_angel

I am trying to find out on behalf of a friend who has been forced to return from Crete due to a terrible change in her circumstances, how she can get help with being homeless on her return. She was born in the UK but all of her family live in Greece. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties (through no fault of her own), she can no longer remain there. She has no family or friends in the UK who can help and will be homeless on her arrival. Can anyone advise on what she can do to get help with accomodation? She has been left financially crippled and cannot afford to put a deposit down on a flat. What would be her first course of action on returning? Any help / advice greatly appreciated.

bigmattE

I know in Northern Ireland we have the Housing Excecutive and they have emergency housing for people. Is there any council housing like this in England?.

sallysimmons

Can someone just arrive back in the country after years of being away and get government benefits?

guardian_angel

I will try checking this out for her. Have no idea about the benefits but I know she did work all her life while living in the UK and paid her taxes, I would like to think she would still be entitled to some help after her contribution. Thanks folks.

Beedubya

Yes there is emergency council housing for people in England, it may not be the best, but you have to take what you are given, as far as I know you don't get to pick and choose.

Apparently whichever council's area you turn up in, then they are responsible for finding you somewhere to live.

guardian_angel

Thankyou I will pass this information on to my friend

sallysimmons

I know a relative needed help and there was no housing. They did offer him a hostel I think, but he wound up finding a solution before he needed to go.

Beedubya

Yes I think this is what they offer you first, some kind of homeless person's hostel until they find you a permanent dwelling.

What a terrible position to be in, makes you realise how lucky we are to have family in the UK, if it came to the worst I could always find a sofa.

I should have said "emergency housing by the council" not "emergency council housing."

MrSensical

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_ad..._accommodation

SanDiegogirl

If all her family live in Greece, why would she be moving back to the UK where she has no family or friends? (or money)

Is she moving back because she can get assistance and benefits in the UK whereas she can get nothing in Greece?

Wy can't she get assistance in Greece if she has lived there for most of her life? It is part of the EU and therefore should have reciprocal assistance/benefits facilities as in the UK.

chocciecake

could she afford to rent a room in a share house?
that wouldn't cost much at all (unless she was in london)

Corfulady

I really feel for your friend. I am in exactly the same situation. I have been in Greece for 21 years, am divorced with 2 children 15 and 12 and because of the economic crisis here have lost my job. I am only entitled to 5 months unemployment benefit which runs out in May (only 545 Euros a month!). There are no benefits at all from the Greek Government. The new prime minister has also cut the rent rebates and I cannot afford to pay the rent.
I have no other choice but to return to the UK homeless and penniless. My parents are retired and also live in Greece and cannot afford to take us on.
As far as I am aware I will probably be put in a hostel and on a waiting list for something better.
I am leaving my eldest son behind for the time being until I get settled but my youngest will come with me. I am hoping that we can settle pretty quickly and its not too traumatic for my son.
Any thoughts from anyone out there would be appreciated

SanDiegogirl

What makes you think that returning to the UK and being penniless and homeless will be any more bearable than in Greece?

The UK is much more expensive overall to live in than Greece, taking into account utility bills and housing costs

Why are you not getting child support from the children's father?

Sally Redux

Yes it does sound like the father should be paying

johnh009

This site lists the government services, where to go, etc.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm