Tyedye I live in homeless accomodation and I admit I live with my dh don't have the same issues as you. the point of my post is that the council do house you and your kids and homeless accomodation may not be as bad you imagine, ours comes with beds, linen, furniture and plates, cultlery and pots and pans, a washing machine and fridge, so you could leave with nothing and yet manage fine and they get you housing benefit forms and help you to find out what you are entitled too, and you stay there until they get you a permanent house. it is not that bad as I imagined the accomodation is good enough and it is not forever. Honestly it might be better to be on your 'own' with your children in your own temp house and then get a council house than living through this, get all your documents together,phone your local council office about homelessness, it is possible to leave.although obviously I know it is very difficult for you and your kids.