A woman experiencing homelessness shared her story of receiving a tent and food vouchers from council workers who determined she did not qualify for emergency housing assistance. Olivia Hill, aged 33, stated that due to her mental health condition, she was deemed unsuitable for shared housing and was denied admission to the NHS, leaving her without a place to stay.
Currently residing in a tent near Glossop, Ms. Hill described her mental health issues as severe and constantly changing. Despite her history of mental health struggles, including borderline personality disorder, she expressed frustration at being considered ineligible for housing support and being left with only a tent and food supplies.
Formerly a registered nurse, Ms. Hill became homeless earlier this month after staying with family in Glossop. She recounted staying in hostels in Manchester and Cornwall before returning to Glossop. Speaking out about her complex mental health needs and past crises, she indicated that she is reliant on benefits, currently receiving the lowest amount of Universal Credit.
Ms. Hill’s application for homeless assistance was met with a decision from the council stating she was not a priority for housing. They mentioned ongoing efforts to address her homelessness but noted that she did not meet the criteria for vulnerability. The council planned to involve a housing association to assist in finding suitable housing options for Ms. Hill.
Despite ongoing welfare checks by the council’s homelessness team, Ms. Hill expressed dissatisfaction with being provided a tent and food vouchers as temporary solutions. She highlighted her struggles with accessing emergency accommodation and feeling failed by both the NHS and local government. The Mirror has reached out to the council for their response to the situation.