I took a call during our homeless slot – 10am to 11am on Friday mornings – from a man who wanted accommodation for both himself and his wife. I advised that usually Manna helps single people – our providers seldom have vacancies for couples. I learned that his wife was pregnant and the Council had closed his case. “Is that because you have been refusing properties?” I asked, he conceded that it was. He was a Refugee and he explained that he wanted to be accommodated near his Church and community. I explained quite plainly that the Council did not have to consider these issues. I invited him for an interview fully intending to give a matter-of-fact interview and lay the options out before him which he was free to either take or leave.
His English was faltering but when he came, explained his situation and supplied supporting documents, I saw the case differently. They were a young couple and whilst fleeing the war in their country, his wife had travelled through Libya. I have heard stories from a few of my Refugee clients about the abuse and torture they have undergone. In this case the woman had been raped and was pregnant with the rapist’s child.
One of the documents he presented, in a passing sentence, paid tribute to them as a family unit, despite all that had happened. One document noted that being amongst her community had helped her cope with the ordeal she had suffered. The housing offer, which they had received from a London Council, was in a far-flung part of England – I wasn’t convinced that her recovery would continue there particularly well, as there was an independent charity helping her now where she is living. Additionally, the couple were not asking to stay in the borough but within easy commuting distance of their Church, additionally, the husband had found work and was keen to start.
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have supported the clients’ position, but my position changed. For the first time and because of the extraordinary circumstances, I supported a review request asking that the Council change their mind about their decision to make that final offer and close their case. I argued that her mental health would likely deteriorate if she accepted the offer and in turn this would affect the child and the husband, triggering Social Services and Mental Health expenditure.
We are presently waiting to see what the Council decides, I wish the couple the best.