THE plight of a local couple, forced to spend several freezing nights sleeping in their car, has served to highlight a social housing system which some believe no longer meets the needs of those it is designed to serve.
The couple, who do not wish to be named, have been Òto hell and backÓ over the past year but now they have hit rock bottom.
Threatened with eviction they moved out of the house they were renting at East Tisted last weekend and, despite strenuous efforts by local councillors and officers from East Hampshire District Council, were left to fend for themselves on the streets.
Their descent into homelessness began with the discovery that the wife had cancer. Her fight for life left her without a job. She was sacked for having time off and, while she took the case to industrial tribunal, pleading Ôunfair dismissalÕ, she was too ill to attend and had to settle out of court. Despite an agreement in her favour, the sacking made it difficult to get another job and she was unable to claim the ÔdoleÕ.
The resulting drop in family income left a shortfall in rent which the couple were unable to meet, even with the help of Housing Benefit which was not sufficient to match private sector prices.
Despite having lived in the Four Marks area for most of their lives, the couple, who have a 21-year old daughter, did not fit the criteria for social or shared ownership housing, built as part of a recent development in the village. They lost out, they believe, to outsiders.
According to the councilÕs housing points system, they would be entitled to a one-bedroom property - impractical when one partner is ill and in need at times of a carer.
Their situation has been further complicated because they own a plot of land on which they had hoped to build a new home for themselves and their disabled parents.
But a recent planning application was rejected by planners who pointed out that the likelihood of obtaining permission to build in the foreseeable future was somewhat remote. The plot has now been revalued as ÔgardenÕ.
Viewed by members of the Housing and Housing Benefit team as a Ôpotential building plotÕ, ownership of the land has worked against them resulting in a reduction in benefit and in points.
The couple feel as if their case has been pushed around Òin circlesÓ.
ÒBecause of our Ôpotential building plotÕ it was felt that we were too well off to need any help, which is certainly not the case. We either need to be able to build a house on our land or to be given somewhere to live, but there seems to be a complete lack of liaison between the departments involved,Ó they told The Herald.
They are extremely bitter at the way in which the system has treated them. Despite Òtrying to do the right thingÓ and having paid tax and national insurance, they feel that being middle aged with no dependent children has served to work against them. And that the system is too inflexible.
Considered for a one-bedroom ground floor flat in Alton, they turned it down on the advice of their GP. He believed it was unsuitable on several counts - not least because it was Òtoo dirty for someone with open wounds procured as a result of radiotherapy treatmentÓ.
The couple could now be offered a bungalow in a sheltered block, which they would feel compelled to accept.
It is by no means ideal but as the winter weather starts to bite is better than the alternative. It serves also to highlight the views of local councillors that the system is not meeting the needs of those it is designed to help, with demand far outstripping supply.
Four Marks councillor Anne Storey has found the case deeply disturbing. She believes the current system of assessing housing need is no longer realistic for people trying to live in what is an expensive area.
ÒIt often means that people are left high and dry - often missing out because they donÕt fit the normal criteria.
ÒWe are not taking into account peopleÕs needs.The only people wanting one-bed properties are students and young people leaving home for the first time. Other than that even elderly people need two bedrooms.
ÒWe really need to think about housing and planning. We are pushing high-density development with an emphasis on one-bedroom properties when what we need is two and three bedroom dwellings. We need to provide homes people need, want and can afford,Ó she said.
Mrs Storey further believes that, not only does the current system do nothing to encourage people to help themselves, but the pointing system needs to be revised
ÒWhether you have lived in an area for two or 20 years, you still get the same number of points,Ó says Mrs Storey who wants to see local housing going to local people and not, as in this case, to people from outside the area.
East Tisted councillor Tony Ludlow has also been pulling out the stops to help but, he says, his hands are tied when it comes to housing allocation.
In a bid to tighten up on corruption, the pointing system is rigid and, while this couple are now top of the list it has been difficult to find them somewhere to meet their specific needs, explained Dr Ludlow.
He worked hard to ensure that, having turned down the flat they were offered, the couple were not penalised or struck off altogether.
ÒPeople donÕt realise how serious the housing problem is in East Hampshire. It is hard to believe that the shortage of houses means that people in this situation are not automatically top of the list,Ó he said.
While accepting medical advice on the flat, Mr Ludlow still believes the couple will be Òbetter in the system than out of it. Once in you can always apply for a transfer,Ó he said.
He believes the housing officers are Òdoing everything they canÓ to try and find a solution to the problem, but still sees the need for change.
ÒThe current system is not serving the needs of the people of this area,Ó he warned.