my husband and i were self employed up to june this year when like so many others fell victim to the credit crunch, leaving us with several debts, but the main and most important our mortgage. After fighting for several months we had no other option but to seek help with our local council. Our advice from the housing officer was second to none, but it appears that our local authority now owns very few houses and because of the size of our family (4 children) the chances of rehousing us is very slim. So our advice was too try and find a private renting and they would try to help as much as they could. We have been turned down for many properties due to the unemployment factor. How ever my husband has managed to find a job and started this week. The council still say they can help. We have now the oportunity of renting a house locally, where Our children will still be able to carry on their education undisturbed. My husbands job is paid monthly, which will mean maybe no money for a month or more. we are managing to fund the travelling, but any chance of saving the money to put down for the bond is just not going to happen. This morning I spoke again to the housing officer, who is willing to pay the £550 advance rent but cannot help us with the bond. She has suggested I contact yourselves as she thinks in some cases the citizen advice organisation sometimes have loans that they use for circumstances similar to ours. I wonder is this correct or have you any other advice you can offer. We feel we have exhausted all other options. thank you for your help.