Can't afford rent, social housing wait ridiculous, what to do?

[BrownieBanana]

I'm stuck living with a family member sharing a bedroom with my toddler. I can't afford rent as a 2 bed near me is £900+. Childcare fees are the same. That's my salary wiped. Even with universal credit it isn't doable on my wage. I'm going insane as have been living with tm family member for 2 years plus. I have 4000 on savings so that covers rent for 4 months but I 5eally don't want to just spunk it on unsustainable rent. I just don't know what to do as I can't even look at things like house shares with such a young child. What are other people doing? Just living with their family members for years on end? Makes relationships extremely difficult. Toll on mental health is huge. I'm 31. I'm so fed up. Just want my own place and for it to not put me in debt.

How about 1 bedrooms in your area? If you’re sharing a room now, I get why moving into a 2 bed would be ideal, but at the same time you’d be no worse off in a 1 bed from a space/privacy perspective, and you wouldn’t be having to deal with your relative.

Does the toddler’s father contribute? If not, why not? And what do you do work wise?

Even a 1 bed is £750/800 which I just cannot afford. The difference In Price between 1 and 2 bed is really small. It's dire. I just looked at the cheapest 1 bed near me is £775.i don't know how people in more expensive areas do it

Yes he does. £7 a week. I have a restraining order and he's not allowed near either of us.

I have my own place but am living in my savings until my daughter qualifies for 30 free hours. That will make a bit of a difference. Then she will start school and hopefully it'll get a little easier again. I'd also look at 1 beds, you can sleep in the lounge area for a couple of years. Use that time to try to increase your income. It's really tough for us lone parents though op, I feel for you.

That’s crap OP but what about 1 beds? If you’re sharing a bedroom anyway it’ll be a step up as no family to share with plus you could always have a sofa bed in the lounge and DC could have the bedroom. Also, you’re nearing the end of the crazy nursery costs, it’ll go down a lot the term after they turn 3 and then it’s school with just wrap around to pay for.

Work wise I work in research. Pays hardly anything but I'm applying for promotions and always looking for other jobs

Do you have to live in the area where you live now?

I saw a post on FB asking for another single mother to go halves on rent - worth a shout?

I sympathise OP, rents are absurd and it's so depressing. I think a lot of people do end up with family for a long time totally overcrowded.

Could you look at one beds and get a sofa bed for the living room that you sleep on? Obviously far far from ideal, but could be an option if staying where you are is completely untenable. Could you ask on social media and see if there's any other mums around in a similar situation you could house share with?

I would also contact citizens advice to see if they have any ideas and to check your getting everything your entitled to.

Is the father of your child paying maintenance?

What rent element are you entitled to on universal credit? Round here (Cornwall) I can get £585 for a 2 bed so thinking about your existing salary and savings can you not make up the shortfall?

Also UC pay 85% of childcare fees. I

Your local council should make up most of it with UC. My area is around £200 short on 2bed but if working and entitled to all benefits is it doable? Or move slightly out of area? I agree rents are extortionate.

When I was on a low wage it was topped up with housing benefit . I’m not up to date with current benefit rules but is that something you could do?

Also if you say your MH is affected living with family member it may put you higher on council housing list.

Have you done a calculation on how much you may be eligible for based on your income and the rent amount/local LHA

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

I do understand though!

Get the family member to give you notice to leave. If you are going to be evicted and therefore homeless with a child, you will be more eligible for accomodation. Depending where you are you may be in temporary accomodation for a while but it's a step in the right direction.

Have you registered with the council for a property? If you let them know that living with family is effecting your mental health you may get housed quicker.

Depending of your LHA, UC cover most part of your rent. I know someone that get 1200 housing allowance for a 2 bed house.

lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

Do you not got 85% of your childcare costs back?

Yep. Any reason why you can't move to a more affordable area?

Have you worked with your local DV provider? As you have a restraining order they could advocate on your behalf about your banding in relation to dv. It will still be a wait but could help.

Can you move somewhere cheaper? I moved from a city where my 1 bed flat was £800 (and that was cheap for there) to a city where my 1 bed flat is £500!

I'd move to a cheaper area.

It can be hard for folks to move and leave behind jobs and support networks.