Being a single parent can be a tough job, and depending on your circumstances, finding accommodation can be difficult. However, there are a number of housing options available for single parents.
Single parents can find it harder than couples to provide a home for their family, as they only have a single income and all the responsibilities of childcare fall on their shoulders. Many single parents do work, but with the cost of childcare being high it can be difficult to make ends meet. To explore your housing options, visit a site such as Belvoir Lincoln.
Single parents who find it difficult to make ends meet can stay with a member of their family, if they live nearby. This will save money as staying with family is not as expensive as renting or buying accommodation. How suitable this will be, will depend on how large the family home is. In a small house or flat, having several adults and a child or children living in the same space can be cramped and may limit privacy. For individuals who get on well with their family members, living in the family home can provide support and help with childcare. For some individuals, however, staying with family is not an option, either because they live too far away or the relationship with family is strained.
Renting can be a good option for single parents. With the high cost of housing and the need for a large deposit to get a mortgage, renting is a good alternative. Renting does have disadvantages – depending on the area, rents can be high and therefore the property that can be rented may be small. This can mean the parent and child having to share a room, which is acceptable when children are small, but not ideal when they are older. Renting from a charity, housing association or the local council will be cheaper, but there may be a long waiting list to get a suitable property. Renting in the private sector will offer more properties, but will also be more expensive. Renting can be expensive, but you may be able to get help in the form of housing benefit. Housing benefit is paid to people who are unemployed or on low incomes.
Buying your own property is something that most of us dream of. Purchasing a house or flat gives greater security, but it is expensive and many single parents would struggle to make the payments. You may be able to get housing benefit to help with rates, but not with mortgage repayments. This does not mean that buying a home is impossible for single parents, but you do need to budget effectively and look at all your options carefully. Compromising on some of the things that you might want in a home may mean that you will be able to find suitable accommodation.
Being a single parent can really stretch your budget, and finding somewhere to live that is affordable can be hard. Before deciding what is right for you, consider all your options and do some research. Do not forget to find out about any benefits or schemes that you may be eligible for.
Leave a Reply