MADAM, What do we have to do to get a house? At the moment my husband and I live in a top floor, two bedroomed flat with our five children – my son, his son and our three daughters. We have been told we are not a priority to be rehoused and we are only in silver band, with gold the priority above.

How do we move up? We have got the help of our health visitor but it has made no difference. My husband has recently had major stomach surgery and it has not healed properly. I suspect because of the struggle of climbing three flights of steps each day. We are sleeping on an air bed in our lounge, as the girls have one bedroom and the boys the other.

I cannot understand how the system works. Is it who you know and not the know how that enables you to get a house? Has anyone got any advice on this problem.

Amy Price

Ross