Newly single, council housing?

[Elizabeth996]

So me and my ex split not too long ago, he’s finally going to be moving out I assume by the end of august. We both have no family and no friends able to put either of us up. We have three young children and currently private rent on a joint tendency.
I won’t be able to afford to keep the house when he is gone and I doubt the landlord would accept me as a single tenant anyway. I’m not working currently (I’m in the middle of doing a degree to work my way into teaching) and childcare is an issue as my youngest is only 1 so I’m unsure when I will be able to look at going back to work.

I have started my application for council housing, I need to upload my documents to finish the application but had a phone call earlier from the council saying I won’t be classed as high need until the landlord starts eviction process.

This whole thing stresses me out so much, I have no idea how the whole process works with council housing anyway, how much is the typical rent? I understand I could be waiting a while but I have no idea on the whole process other than that you have to bid on properties. I’m so worried I will end up being housed far away from my children’s school and friends in the local area. I have bad anxiety with it all and having no idea what the situation I am going to be in looks like is making me stress so much more!
Any advice or info much appreciated!

Also any tips for co parenting would be appreciated, as much as we bicker we don’t hate each other and want to do the best for our children!

How much your rent is etc will depend on your location and size of the house/number of bedrooms. As for co-parenting I'd advice try set up a routine, so the kids know if they are coming or going, have something in writing in regards to agreements so you both know where you stand with each other

I think the problem you are going to have is there are very few council houses available. Many have been brought by the tenants who had lived in them and took/take advantage of the 'Right To Buy'.
If you are currently housed they don't necessarily see you as a priority as you aren't homeless.
If you are offered accommodation by the Council it can often be out of the local area, they'll have to give you houses that they have available. If there's none in your local area, then you'll have to move to areas available.
Many Councils are rehoming homeless applicants in B&B's, Hotels or properties of private landlords.
The lists are often very long, and bidding is usually based on priority and need/ time on list.
Would your current landlord allow you to remain as a private let, and let you apply for Housing Benefit?
Have you been on touch with someone like Citizens Advice or the online benefits advice services.
It's tough having no family support network, have you any friends that could help you navigate the benefits advice websites?
Once your landlords starts eviction procedures, often on the day of eviction you will be able to present yourself as homeless, you can then go on the day ( the earlier on the day the better helps), as the out of hours services are often busiest.

Everything depends on what area you live in. Firstly you need to check what the local housing allowance is for your area ( aka LHA ) you can go on gov.com put in your post code and it will tell you the max that housing benefit or UC will pay towards your rent hopefully you can make up the shortfall if not you try and apply to the council for a discrenary housing payment but this is only for short term periods ie 3/6 months. If you cant afford it, i would be honest with the landlord so they can serve you with a Notice then you take that to the council , usually the council will wait until the landlord has been granted possession and you get the bailiff appointment which is literally the day the bailiff comes round to chuck you out. Then the council will allocate you emergency accommodation please be aware this could be out of the area you live and could be a hostel / bed and breakfast or even a travel lodge you could be here for up to 6 weeks then hopefully you will be allocated temporary accomodation which never is temporary and you bid or wait for a perm council or HA property from there which could be anything up to 5 years. Or they could just find you another private rent which is affordable to you. You need to def try and speak to shelter the homeless charity they have a very good advice line.

With regards to Co-parenting, if you can manage to try and quash the bickering ( easier said than done sometimes I know) if you don't hate each other, would splitting your current home work? And just live together, but separate lives, and co-parent? Where is your ex planning on moving to? Is he in the position to rent privately to be able to cater for overnight stays/ holidays from school etc?
Is he going to be able to contribute to CM? Is he working?

You'll be given a banding or priority level, and then you'll be able to bid on any properties with that banding or priority level. (You can even bid on ones you don't have the right banding for, as I recall, which you might still get if no-one else goes for them.) You'll need to make sure you check the website regularly for new properties.

So you won't end up housed where you don't want to be, because you won't bid on those properties. Unless you decide that it's more important to get a place than stay in your area, of course.

If your circumstances change and you're being evicted, then you will need to get your banding updated accordingly.

Have you checked everything you're entitled to benefits wide plus his contribution before deciding you can't stay? Just don't tell the landlord.