How to Get a Council House

Single mum Beverley has fallen behind with her rent, partially, she says, due to recent welfare reforms. Now facing eviction, she and her 21-year-old epileptic son Zane turn up at the council looking for help. Shane says he's living on his mum's sofa with his three children.

The London Borough of Hounslow is facing a housing crisis. Due to a dwindling stock of social housing, and rising demand from applicants struggling to find affordable private sector properties, the council is being forced to house families in temporary accommodation. As this predominantly consists of bed and breakfast rooms and private sector lets, the council is at the mercy of the private housing market, and has run up housing debts of ú3.5 million. This episode takes an unflinching look at Hounslow Council's attempts to curb its spiralling temporary accommodation bill, and meets the families who are stuck in inadequate housing or turned away without help. Hotel cleaner Danielle and her eight-year-old son have been evicted from their privately rented flat for failing to pay the rent. If the council find her responsible for becoming homeless, they won't receive help, social services will be called, and Danielle's son could be taken into care.

This episode meets people who've come to the UK from abroad and have no option but to turn to the council for housing. But getting a council house isn't easy, even if you're facing homelessness.

Shayne has to climb through a window to get into his bedsit. Piotr lives in a mouldy garage. This episode meets people on low incomes who have to rent their home privately.