Helen Moyo, who presently resides in Halifax, had difficulties finding a place to call home and spent three months living in a hostel with her newborn.
After earning an honours degree from the University of Derby, Helen became pregnant unexpectedly in 2022 and was subjected to homelessness.
Despite facing challenges in locating appropriate housing for both herself and her daughter, she persevered and returned to her family home with overcrowding being a big issue.
Helen’s request for housing prior to giving birth was initially denied after Calderdale Council had believed Helen had intentionally made herself homeless as she had accommodation at her University campus.
It comes as Calderdale Council is struggling to meet rising demand for affordable housing. Its local plan states another 1,000 homes need to be built each year.
Without using Universal Credit or any other Government assistance, Helen was able to financially maintain herself. She also saved enough money for a deposit and three months’ worth of rent before giving birth with hopes of securing a private house.
Helen described the application process and getting an interview for private housing “easy.” She was later disappointed to learn that a credit check and guarantor were needed before she could be considered, even though she could prove her affordability by presenting bank statements and three months’ worth of rent this was not enough.
Given the current crisis in the cost of living, affordability is a big issue with the private rental sector. Thousands of people are also on the waiting list for social housing.
Conversely, social housing is low-cost public housing that is built by local governments and provided to low-income individuals by the local government.
With no other option, Helen continued with the council route. Although it was initially upsetting,Helen is very satisfied with the support provided by Calderdale Council in regards to her case.
The British Landlord Association, said guarantor and credit checks are used to ensure tenants can afford rent.
Waajid Ali, a team leader with the Happy Days homelessness charity, mentioned that the organisation helps a variety of different people including ex- convicts. Happy Days stated that there are several frequent causes of homelessness, including victims of domestic abuse, families that fall behind on rent, and ex-offender who are rehabilitated and in need of shelter and support.
Happy Days stated that the nonprofit organisation offers “housing and other support to a wide range of individuals in an effort to prevent homelessness”.