how can i find somewhere to live now that im getting divorced?

[hollberry]

hi i dont even know if im in the right section but i am in need of some advise, i have recenty left my husband of 6 years i am 23 and i have a 5 year old son and i live near swindon.
at the moment we are staying with my sister who already has 4 children of her own and so we are rather over crouded and i obviously need to find somewhere to live asap.
i have been told that the housing list will most likely take years but i can get housing benifit if i privtely rent somewhere, the only problem with this is that you have to be living somewhere before you can even aply for housing benifit which would require me getting the money up together for a deposit.
now i realise this all sounds rather like im just complaining but i have also been told there are ways and meens of being helped into rented acomidation but unfortunately no one seems to know where i have to go or what i have to do so if anyone out there can help me out i would very much apretiate it
thank you in advance

[Rollo]

Get in gtouch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau and then the Housing Department of the Local Council where you are currently living.

[ummmm]

The council usually has a list of private landlords that rent to people in receipt of benefits.

[angel21]

You might be able to backdate your application so that you can get the money back for the deposit and previous rent paid. Obviously this doesn't help you get a place to begin with but worth checking to see if you can do that. Good luck xx

[kira000]

Contact your council and ask if they operate a Rent and deposit loan scheme. Many councils now operate a scheme where they lend people funds to put down a deposit on a property in the private sector. This is usually only offered to people who are homeless or under threat of homelessness, but who would be able to afford the rent on a private property in the long term.

This is an example from one council:

http://www.breckland.gov.uk/pv/depositloansche me

[McNoodle]

Or you could get a job and support yourself and your son, instead of assuming my taxes will do it now you've left your husband. May sound harsh, but why automatically look to the benefit system at 23?

[proudmary]

Hi Holberry, you should go to your local Council offices and ask for an appointment with the Homeless team, it sounds as though you are in priority need (because of your child), they have a duty to find you accommodation if you are homeless.

Hope you sort things out xx

[filthiestfis]

Divorced at 23 with a kid and unemployed? Lovely! Your spelling indicates that you did not complete your studies, young lady.