My children and I have been living in a homeless shelter for 8 months now. After a relationship breakdown a while back. Its a small 1 bed flat. I have the living room my two children, girl 12 and boy 9 share the bedroom. We are all struggling horrendously. We have been told we still have a potential 2+ year wait for a council property.
I am not allowed overnight guests or to stay out. This is making me feel isolated from friends family and my partner.
I have been offered two private rentals through my local council, both times they let me down.
My partner and I are now looking to move in together and private rent however there is very little housing available in our area. Everytime I call for something it's already gone, or because we will receive some housing benefits they will turn us away. We have a guarantor and extra money to pay extra months in advance. It's making no difference.
We can't just move out of the area because of work and because my kids dad lives here.
We are in the SE Essex.
I am becoming so depressed om struggling to leave the flat. My daughter is autistic and her mental health is in absolute pieces. I just feel like I can't go on.