AIBU to feel stuck being 'homeless'?

I wonder if you could read the OP’s messages?

You have over 16k in savings ? Use that to support yourself and to pay rent and when it's under 16k you can claim UC to help with rent/ childcare costs etc.

Just wondering how things worked out for you? I hope you were able to get back on your feet. 💐

No, not good to rely on CMS, but it may work for some people to get them over the line.

I don't think it's a good idea to rely on CMS to pay a mortgage though as men can just stop paying it with seemingly no repercussions.

With UC she wouldn't be able to save up for a deposit anyway while claiming as you can't claim it when you have more than £16k in the bank.

Beezknees and anyone it might help
Times money mentor site shows which banks take CMS into account and the criterior. Obviously this changes, and I don't know how old the table is.
OP probably does not want to disclose personal info, but worth a look.

Agree you have to accept the hotel room. You can still plug in a blender and make babies meals or buy pouches

It's the only way you'll get permanent, safe accommodation quickly

You need to accept the hotel room from the council and then you will be prioritised for social housing later.

It's not ideal but it's how it works. Beggars can't be choosers and all that and it's just temporary your child will never remember. Perhaps you could go back to your parents for meals or might be allowed a small fridge freezer for food.

Alternatively you move to a smaller place in a cheaper area and buy a small flat or house there with your savings, you'll then be eligible for UC and fairly significant help towards childcare instead of using your parent. You can buy a fairly nice flat for £80k where I live on the east coast.

They won't take CMS into account, it's not guaranteed income. Very rarely they'll take UC either.

If you factored in CMS and any UC could you buy a small place?
Brokers can often find a mortgage when High St banks cannot.
I'm not suggesting that you put yourself in a precarious position and get something unaffordable, but it would be a shame to whittle away your cash reserves.

You might have to accept a hotel room/hostel type accommodation before you get rehoused.

That's what I did before I got my housing association flat. I also left an abusive relationship but I couldn't stay with parents so I had to go to a refuge and temporary accommodation. I was in there for around 6 months before getting a flat.

If your parents write a letter stating to your local housing department stating that you and baby will be evicted on x date, as they no longer want you there, the council will have to assist.

However, it may be a hotel room to start with. You’d need to accept it, even if you went to your parent's house for meals, so that you can cook.

It’s the first step on the rehousing road.

I agree that although its not ideal, you should have accepted the hotel room as it is a step in the process towards being housed.

You have refused the emergency accomodation that the council offered you because of lack of kitchen? I think youve been badly advised

Also Women’s Aid should be able to offer advice.

There's a charity called The Marylebone Project which helps homeless women. I don’t think they’d be able to help you directly, because of your savings, but they might be able to give you advice about how to move on.

I was thinking this to. Just until you get back on your feet at least

If it helps the law on flexible work requests changed in April and you now have the right to two requests a year instead of one, the requirements they have to meet to refuse your request have also become stricter. So might be worth trying to increase your hours.

Try spare room or private rentals, bypass the agencies

I hope this isn’t a silly question OP, but why can’t you continue living with your parents?

When I rented and was not working the landlord accepted 12 months rent in advance. That 12 months may give you a breathing space. Make sure you get a 6 months break clause with payment back of 6 months rent if you happen to be in a better place and are able to move on. Best of luck with this and your new future x

If you're DC is 18 months surely you get some free childcare so could get another part time job? I'd look for highly paid contracting to fill in the gaps. What's your profession?

BTW I sympathise somewhat as similar position and live in the South and house prices are so expensive may as well as be London. But there are cheaper pockets here and there.