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.

Great that it worked for you, but there are easier options like checking if OP can get UC to cover her rent, so she doesn't need to move in the first place. I still suspect most people that suggested it have no idea how hard that is, because they have a) different circumstances (no children or both parents etc) b) have mortgage and rented 15 years ago and have no idea how the rental market looks like now.

I'm in the same situation. There are advantages to living with my family but it's difficult not to feel completely hopeless about it sometimes. I apply for better paying jobs in various places, but of course there's no guarantee I'll get them, and even if I did it would still be a struggle. Basically I just wish I had a magic wand.

You'd get a contribution from universal credit towards your housing and your childcare OP. Start at the job centre, I know you work but honestly these benefits were made with someone like you in mind. Can you seek more contributions from your ex or is that from the CMS people? Absolutely criminal he's only paying 7 quid a week towards the upkeep of his child.

Would you consider moving to another area. Apply for jobs in the north east and then you’ll find more availability for social housing and rents that are much more affordable. Childcare is cheaper too.

Could you live in a studio? I know families living like this -two adults and a child. It’s not ideal but it would get you your own space.

But once you moved and had rent to pay, then you should be able to claim housing element from UC? Check on a benefits calculator and pop in the amount as if you’re paying rent. You’d be able to move out, pay a deposit from savings and then get the claim into UC? And with a low income and being a lone parent, you’d get council tax discount too.

He makes over 40k a year. Lives in the house we used to own together (only owned it a year so there was v lite equity, hence why I have 4k), but once we separated he got his boss to pay him cash in hand and he gets his dad to pay the mortgage payments and he gives his dad the cash. I know all this but can't prove it. I'm just glad he's out of my life.

Can you claim tax free childcare in addition to universal credit? I'm not too sure. Is your son eligible for 2 year funding (I'm not sure how old he is)? He'll be entitled to the universal 15 hours funding when he's 3 and if you work 30 hours then it's 30 funded hours. Is he with a nursery or Childminder? Childminders are usually a bit cheaper.

A lot of landlords also wont take tenants on UC or other benefits so that is another hurdle if OP is relying on that for standard rentals. Also the need for a guarantor

Many letting agencies wont accept a tenant who is overcrowded, I have come across this at work where we're trying to help someone make sensible choices about budgeting and having to 'make do' and then its undermined by landlords who say they cant let to a mum and child in a studio, or even one bed I have had before

Have you re-ran your info through Entitled.to or a similar site with the rent you would be paying, and see what the total benefits you'd get are?

Are you full time?

I'm going to step away as can't stop crying and probably not in the right frame of mind to deal with this this eve. Thanks everyone.

Speak to Shelter. They are the housing experts.

Then I’d focus on things you can do to increase your income If you work for a large company do they offer any kind of training scheme ? Can you see any. better paid areas and talk to HR about what you would need to do to move into those areas.

can you try some workarounds for more social contact? So organise play dates at the park and take a picnic or at soft play? Ask your relative if you can use the lounge room once a fortnight to have a friend over for coffee?

Best wishes. You’ve done an amazing thing in getting away from an abusive partner and I hope things improve soon

£7 a week? WTF!!!!

You’re so strong. What sort of career track can you imagine, something to push your salary up- do you see yourself in a PhD and then science route, or sales or clinical trials etc? . There are lots of potential career options from research so have a goal and then work backwards from there…

Also this!

Rents are shocking these days. Even some social housing is a lot. (Considering it's supposed to be 'affordable housing.' ) My friend lives in a medium sized 2 bed council house (built late 1940s,) and she has been there since 2009. Rent £395 a month.

She is looking to move to another area for various reasons.

She's gone on the housing register to try and move house, and even 1 and 2 bed bungalows and flats, and 2 bed houses, are £500-£575 a month. They have gone up massively! And it's a Housing Association! Some 3 beds are £650 to £700 a month. Still cheaper than private though; they're a third more! She is lucky she has a controlled rent that started off low-ish.

So glad we're mortgage free, and have no rent to pay. (Sorry not helpful, but I do sympathise.)

so your ex isnt paying tax?