Bromley Council's failure to house ex-army woman 'ridiculous' and 'unfair'

2:46pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Patrick Grafton-Green

Private Lauren Dobbs feels let down by the Council's failure to house her since she left the army. Private Lauren Dobbs feels let down by the Council's failure to house her since she left the army.

A WOMAN who spent six years in the British army - including one full tour of Afghanistan - is being denied social housing by Bromley Council, in a move she has branded "ridiculous" and "completely unfair".

Private Lauren Dobbs, 23, was a military dog handler in the Vet Corps - a job that involves handling specialist dogs capable of detecting arms and explosives - and last November, after six years of service, she decided to leave.

However six months on and her plans to start an independent life have been scuppered by the failure of the council to find her a place to live.

She claims that all they have been able to offer is a night shelter, and only in circumstances when it is below 0°C.

She said: "I think it is just ridiculous - I am very annoyed but there is nothing I can do.

"It is completely unfair - I have colleagues in the army who have had to rejoin, or have not been able to leave, because they have not been homed."

Fortunately Ms Dobbs, who wants to become a personal trainer and is currently studying with the Personal Trainer Academy, has been able to stay with her mother, but she has been angered by the council's failure to look after her.

She said: “I left because I wanted to move on and do other things.

"The army was what I had always wanted to do and after that the personal training.

“But the fact you are not paid much in the army makes it harder when you leave.”

Her mother, Michelle Lynn, 47, of Hill Crest Road, Biggin Hill, said: "My daughter's friends have had their limbs blown off, they have been killed and this is all the council can do.

"It is not good enough - my daughter was fighting for her country, it is disgraceful that they treat someone who fights for their country like this.

"When soldiers leave the army they cannot afford a mortgage, their wages are atrocious - what are they supposed to do?"

In a statement Bromley Council said: "It is not appropriate to discuss someone’s individual circumstances but we can confirm our approach is to work with a person faced with homelessness and with their families to help prevent this happening.

"This includes giving advice and guidance and helping them look at the different housing options that are available.

"We work with a person to establish their circumstances and whether they are priority need under existing housing legislation."

The government's stance

When David Cameron came to power he promised a change in legislation that would see local authorities give priority to ex-forces personnel - who can end up in poor quality rented homes or even homeless.

However, he has failed to stand by this promise.

According to gov.uk ex-armed forces remain on an equal footing to others when applying for social housing - they cannot ‘queue jump’ others on the social housing waiting list.

Where they still have an entitlement to MOD accommodation, they are treated the same as anybody else who is suitably housed but wish to apply for social housing - at low priority.

Comments(19)

dag says...
6:41pm Tue 19 Mar 13

She has a home with her mother. Social housing is for the people in most need. i.e. families. If she becomes a personal trainer she should earn enough to rent privately on her own.

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moggy80 says...
6:41pm Tue 19 Mar 13

I think it is discusting how people from the armed forces are treated when they come out. They lay down their lives for this country and government and get this in return. Yet other people who have not done a days work in their lives are more likely to get social housing much more easily. Each case needs to be looked at independantly. It is way too easy for some, yet for the right people who do the right thing there is nothing.

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gottleofgear says...
8:56pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Yes I agree with Moggy, I know of several alcoholic layabouts who live in Plaistow Lane in social housing who have been in and out of prison and some are drug addicts. They give nothing to society and get money and a roof over their heads.

Bromley Council, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

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goldenbroomboy says...
7:03am Wed 20 Mar 13

My understanding is that priority is given to families with young children. Single people are at the bottom of the list, unless they are disabled or have special needs.

And no, I don't see why ex military personnel should be given preference over anybody else.

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Wispy Wonder says...
9:42am Wed 20 Mar 13

She's obviously a very capable and admirable woman, but why can't she now stand on her own two feet? Plenty of others manage to support and house themselves while they study. She's letting herself down here.

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the wall says...
10:10am Wed 20 Mar 13

Her career choice.

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rescaaffering oldey says...
10:21am Wed 20 Mar 13

...and swop this decent, honest, lady with two words... asylum seeker ?

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looloolaboogie says...
12:32pm Wed 20 Mar 13

i must say this has come as no surprise to me, afterall this young woman has only put her life on the line for queen and country.some of her fellow service men and women have come back in coffins. however we continue to house terrorists and extremists. I personally think this is an outrage and an insult to every service man and women in the armed forces. David Cameron you should hang your head in shame with your empty promises.

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vicki H says...
4:18pm Wed 20 Mar 13

They did the same to my brother who severed in the Paras and now suffering with PTSD. When being in the office one person told him he had survival skills so use a tent. I think that it's disgusting that the government and local authorities are treating our heros this way.

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gottleofgear says...
8:11pm Wed 20 Mar 13

the wall wrote:
Her career choice.
You're obviously a troll, so why don't you P1ss off

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the wall says...
9:56am Thu 21 Mar 13

gottleofgear wrote:
the wall wrote:
Her career choice.
You're obviously a troll, so why don't you P1ss off
No capital letter on 'P1ss off', you Mongtard!

Anyhoo, none of my family or friends that have served in the UK Armed Forces excepted a free house when joining civvy street. Maybe they looked into more and done their homework.

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Petra69 says...
8:56am Fri 22 Mar 13

This woman needs to understand a few things. She resigned from her job in the Army. She was paid a salary while there and had her living costs met. When she decides to leave she should think the consequences through. That includes where she will live and what work she will do. The lazy **** should realise that there is no reason why us taxpayers should fund her accommodation particularly as she can stay with Mummy. What a non story

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bootcamp Rob says...
9:38pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Dear Pte Dobbs, We run a Bootcamp company in London and the South East, all of our instructors are ex or serving Armed Forces. We would be more than happy to help you while you are studying to become a Personal Trainer or have a chat about how to set up a fitness company. Please contact me or my bootcamp partners, via info@bootcamp.uk.com
regards Bootcamp Rob

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Bestbaz says...
2:01pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Unfortunately many people who leave the armed services are homeless. I agree that whilst in the tri services you do get accommodation, and with better personal planning those leaving the services should be able to obtain accommodation. However, if you are 16 and have a baby you definitely get accommodation, so will asylum seekers, drunks, convicts, druggies and anyone getting off a truck somewhere along the M20. England needs to get priorities sorted.

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catz48 says...
9:19pm Mon 25 Mar 13

I think the right decision was made not to house this lady .. Yes she has had a admirable career but she made the decision to leave to go onto other things .. She has a home to go to and no dependants .

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PaulErith says...
8:38am Tue 26 Mar 13

Once again as I mentioned on another article, her attitude sums up what's wrong with this country. Social housing is supposed to be a safety net. It's there to help people who have fallen on hard times.

How dare she criticise the council for not giving her a home. It's absolutely disgusting attitude! I don't really care whether she was in the army, but she left her job and now expects a free house! I had to save up a deposit and then pay a mortgage to get my first home.

About time there was a reality check for people who think they're entitled to something for nothing.

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Petra69 says...
8:57am Tue 26 Mar 13

PaulErith wrote:
Once again as I mentioned on another article, her attitude sums up what's wrong with this country. Social housing is supposed to be a safety net. It's there to help people who have fallen on hard times.

How dare she criticise the council for not giving her a home. It's absolutely disgusting attitude! I don't really care whether she was in the army, but she left her job and now expects a free house! I had to save up a deposit and then pay a mortgage to get my first home.

About time there was a reality check for people who think they're entitled to something for nothing.
Here here. Well said

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Smanf! says...
1:31pm Tue 26 Mar 13

Guys guys guys calm down!!

These imbosils that are against it are clearly not British nationals and have no understanding!!!

They've come over from their 3rd world country grabbed their "How to claim your benefits when coming from abroad" leaflet and set up home in their 5 bed private rented mansions, obviously paid for by the tax payers.

We have to save as many houses as possible for these foreigners.
Well done great Briton - you've failed again. & we can all thank dear old maggie for this! May she rot in hell!!

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PaulErith says...
2:47pm Tue 26 Mar 13

I can't really understand your message. You say, "These imbosils that are against it" - Against what exactly?

You don't really make yourself clear, but I assume you're trying to say that you are in favour of this person being given a council house because she should have priority over foreigners? Correct me if that's not your message.

I don't think anyone on here is saying that it's right for immigrants to arrive and get housing, or that they should have priority over British Nationals.

You're missing the point that nobody should just assume that they can have social housing. This woman has a place to live with her Mum, so she should get a job, save up some money, and get somewhere privately like most of the rest of us.

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