Is there any support available for low income single parent families with housing?

[Piamea]

I just want to preface this by saying I'm not asking for anything other than practical advice. It's not a begging thread

I'm a single parent of two small children and I live in London. Due to unforseen circumstances (bastard ex) I've found myself in an undesirable situation.

Me and my two DC (ages 1.2 and 3 years) one of which has special needs are living in a box flat which consists of a living room with a kitchen built in to the room and one small bedroom. No outdoor space. Plenty of faults with the flat. It was all I could afford at the time of needing to move urgently but has become very unsuitable as the DC get older.

I work part time and am unable to take on any more hours until my youngest is eligible for the free hours when they reach 2.

My rent is £1,000pcm for something as small as this which I can afford as I have my wages topped up with UC, but we need to move because the flat is becoming hazardous for my child with SN.

I can no longer contain him to a travel cot and living in what is basically a kitchen with a sitting area is dangerous. I've child proofed the place as much as I can but it's just not suitable and is taking it's toll on my mental health being confined in such a small space.

I'm not eligible for council accom as I haven't lived here long enough and there isn't anything anyway, waiting lists are years long.

I could save for some rent in advance for a new place if I was very frugal for a few months but all the estate agents want so much money, rent in advance on top of a deposit and then admin fees.

It cost me 2.5k to even get over the threshold of this shit hole of a flat and this was supposedly a bargain. Private landlord who has no other properties.

I can't leave London as i rely heavily on my support network.

Are there any charities that could help IE affordable housing or organisations that support people in my situation in finding appropriate accommodation.. or am I on my own? I can't see a way out and the council aren't interested as we're housed

Try the Gingerbread website. You may be eligible for a one-off grant (though it'll only be a few hundred) and there's tons of advice on there on finances.

I would have thought that as you are affording £1000pcm rent that you probably won't be eligible for council housing, but I really don't know a lot about it.

To be honest, I'd probably try to cope with your current place until your youngest turns 2 and you can take up the funding (but its only 15 hours which only equates to one full nursery day a week).

You and I probably have a similar income by the sounds of it but I only have one DC who is 3. I do understand the struggle. I live outside London and the difference in what £1k gets you per month is huge. In this village you'd get a 3-bed house. Nearer a station you'd get a 2-bed.

In what way are you reliant on your support network? Is it for regular childcare?

Hi thanks for the reply

I rely on my support network for childcare yes. My Dsis is a god send and her help enables me to work.

I also have a disabled DM in the area who I wouldn't want to be too far away from.

I hadn't heard of gingerbread I will check it out