Temporary accommodation for 5 years. Sunk cost fallacy?

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Hello everyone,

I am reaching out to you all feeling incredibly frustrated and desperate. For the last five years, I have been living in temporary accommodation and bidding for a permanent place. It has been a grueling and arduous process, and I am starting to question if it is worth it.

I have invested so much time and energy into this process, but it feels like I am just throwing it all away. Private rents in my area are astronomically expensive, and I am struggling to make ends meet. To make matters worse, I was previously renting privately for seven years before my landlord decided to sell, and I was evicted. It was a heart-wrenching experience that I do not wish to go through again.

I am looking for stability and security in my living situation, something that I have not had for far too long. However, I feel trapped in this limbo, unsure if I should continue bidding and waiting or look for other options.

My emotions are running high, and I am at a loss. I am hoping that someone out there has been in a similar situation and can offer me some advice and support.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and I appreciate any help that you can offer.

What other options do you have, apart from continue bidding?

I would try and objectively decide how likely you are to get a permanent council home within the next year or two.

Then I'd think if there is anything you can do to improve your chances, e.g. any more flexibility about what you will consider.

If it's likely to be many more years, I guess you have to consider putting up with current situation (what is the temporary accommodation like?), private rented, or if you are in a popular area seeimg if you could be housed more quickly somewhere else. I'd be reluctant to move back to private rented right now if any other options, as demand is so high and of course the landlord could give you notice again.

Currently, I am situated outside of the Borough to which I am actively bidding to return.

My current living situation is quite distressing, as it has been plagued with infestations of mice, rats, bedbugs, flying ants, and cockroaches - reminiscent of the biblical plagues of Egypt.

I am disheartened by the fact that I seem to have vanished from the council's radar. Despite having waited for five years, individuals with toddlers are being rehoused while I am left waiting.

Despite having written to my MP and lodging complaints - particularly in response to the infestations - the council merely provides a generic response stating that the waiting list is extensive and the demand for housing is high.

I am feeling increasingly disillusioned with the entire process. On one hand, I have invested half a decade of my life, as well as my children's childhoods, with the hope that my persistence will ultimately pay off. On the other hand, it is plausible that I could continue waiting for several more years, with my children potentially growing up and leaving home, leaving me no longer a priority for the council.

How important is moving to your intended borough?

It sounds like a very in demand area - is it in central London?

Could your children have a better childhood if you sought housing in a different area? If that is an option.

The infestations sound awful.

I think it should be unlawful for people to be in temps for so long.

Unfortunately "temporary" housing is often not what anyone would actually describe as temporary.
OP were you rehoused against your wishes outside of the borough you want to move back to (so remain the responsibility of that council/ housing team) or are you choosing to move back to a different borough? The latter will likely make your wait much longer as you will be lower priority that those already in the borough.
Sadly your council is correct in that the number of people waiting to be housed is huge and there will be many people in the same situation as you. It's a ducking travesty but it's the reality.

You don't mention any kids - do single people with children ever get housed in the area you want? In the area I'm from they have no chance.

I should have mentioned before that I have three children, and we are currently living in a two-bedroom flat. I am happy to live outside of the borough; I just want to find secure housing. However, I can only bid through their portal, and all the available housing is located within the borough I left.

You can ask then re refine to you any authority that will take you. If you are looking for a home C quickly AND don't care where in the country it is, go for west Lancashire. Mega cheap housing and you still have the right to buy ( and our council actively replace the sold on housing stock).

Hi Iv also been in temp acomidation for 5 years with 5 children in a 3 bed they have told me I have atleast another 51 month wait witch makes it nerly 9 years my argument is I don't feel like 9 years is classed as temp it's more like long term I get no were when I'm biddin I always come in the red (low chance) I'm in band 2 band one of for over crowded or fleeing DV were not aloud to decorate or enythin here we just have to live box standard and it caused me to feel so depressed I feel trapped and stuck I really get how Ur feeling I feel there should be some way ppl like us should be aloud in band 1