Need a way to afford rent but private too high

cooners

Hi
I'm having a few issues lately with my housing situation. I used to rent with my wife but when she left me I could no longer afford the rent and other bills on my own, so I ended up moving into a shared house that my cousin was the lead tenet of.
Whilst I was there I have been suffering severe depression and anxiety which caused me to start doing stupid things in an attempt to cope and fit in, finally my cousin evicted me "for my own good" saying I shouldn't be in a shared house environment, a view that my mother, boss, friends, colleges, doctor, councilor (all three of them), addaction and a support group I've been going to agree with.
I have had to move back into my Mum's place for now but this is killing me slowly as she can't help but treat me like a child and is struggling to cope with my depression, my step Dad doesn't want me here and is making that clear as crystal (he just thinks depression is fake and I should just man up) and as my step Dad's health has deteriorated since I last lived at home he needs the spare bed a lot of the time so I find myself on the sofa (or on my sisters, Dad's or friends sofa if I think he wants me out of the house for a bit) He hasn't set a date yet but can't see him letting me stay here beyond 3 months.
This has been going on for a month now and it's making me worse than ever but I can't see a way out, these are the options I can see but all seem to be dead ends for one reason or another:
1.Private Rent: Simply unaffordable in Cornwall bringing in just about £1100 a month
2.Shared House: Really bad idea after the issues I had in the last one
3.Bedsit/Studio: Maybe but the shared areas could cause the same issues as a shared house
4.Council/HA Flat: My preferred option, would have my own space which everyone says I badly need and I'm not greedy, a 1 bedroom flat would suit me fine but think I've got more chance of being crowned the king of England
5.Sheltered Housing: I honestly don't think I'm that bad but people keep bringing it up saying it would be good for me but I honestly think there are people that need this more than me
6. Buy: Haven't got the time to save for a deposit before my Step Dad kicks me out and would struggle with the monthly payments cause of all the second home owners pushing the prices out of reach (they really really need to ban this)
7. Buy my Mum's massive Garden and dump a Shipping Container on it: Not going to happen and a bit of a pipe dream tbh plus would still cost a fair bit, but actually like the idea for some reason
8. Caravan: Don't think this works out cheaper than renting tbh
9. Cardboard Box: Seems the most likely outcome right now
If anyone knows how to make any of this work (number 4 in particular would be great) or has any other ideas I'd be really really grateful to hear them as I'm in a right pickle wondering what to do right now.
Many Thanks

indian_summer

Have you registered with homechoice?

Visit the Cornwall council website,it tells you how to apply but first you need to be registered

cooners

Going to do that at the weekend. Do you think I'd have a realistic chance of getting something?

elsien

Surely a bedsit even with shared areas would be better than your current situation. One house share going wrong doesn't mean all others will. And a bedsit give some you some private space. Caravan in winter may not be the greatest way to live.

Even if you register with the council and get a higher priority it could be a longer wait purely because 1 bed places are in short supply. You need a plan B while you wait.
In general terms, what were the problems with the shared facilities?

RubyHouse

How about being a lodger?
Slightly different to a house share, there is usually much less people (possibly just you and the homeowner). So you may get 'more space to yourself' Plus, you can assess your landlord and their expectations beforehand so you know if it will work for you. If not, there will be plenty of others. Bills are usually included so you know what charges to expect each month.
My friend has rented out her spare room for the last 2 years, her and her tenant have since become really good friends despite him moving out at the end of the month.
I would recommend Spareroom.com as a starter.

I understand your frustration with local house prices but you are lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country so make the most of it whilst you assess your options. I know its easy for me to say - but try not to worry too much about it, you will find a resolution that will work for you.

Best of luck!

pmlindyloo

Whereabouts in Cornwall are you?

Are you sure that you can't afford a one bed place?

Have you considered getting a second job to 'top up' your income?

As regards first month's rent/deposit surely your family/friends would give you a loan to pay these?

Where are you looking for private rentals? Have you tried local newspapers for private ads/ask around at work/look in shop windows? these are sometimes cheaper than going through a letting agent.

As regards council housing if you have good medical evidence then this may help your application to go on the housing register. However, it may be that they view your present health situation as temporary (and hopefully it is) and not 'bump you up the list'.

If your parents wrote a letter saying that you could not live at home 'because' this would make you homeless and you could make a homeless application. New laws mean that your local council would have to accept your application, interview you and at the very least give you some help and support to find a place.

However, even if you were lucky enough to get council accommodation then this may not be the most desirable.

Best of luck.

cloo

Yes, maybe renting a room from an older person might give you the space you need without the pressures you felt from house sharing. Sorry you're in a bad way now, and hope things improve.

parkrunner

Studio flats are self-contained.

Murphybear

have you checked the benefit calculators? You may be able to get help with the rent/Council Tax.

The max LHA rate for Cornwall is £93 - £103 pw for one bedroom, depending on where in Cornwall you live. It!!!8217;s worth enquiring.

There are quite a lot of 1 bedroomed flats/studios on Rightmove that are not too expensive. I did a search in Truro + 40 miles which covers most of Cornwall.