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Tom was ready to leave home. But finding a place to live was much more difficult - and more expensive - than he expected.

Fed up at home?

'Things weren't really bad at home or anything, but my folks kept hassling me and I wanted my own space. A few friends already had their own flats, so I stayed at their places a lot. But it's not the same as your own place, is it?'

What can you afford?

Everywhere needed a deposit and a month's rent in advance, which I hadn't thought about...

'Anyway, I went to the council to apply for council housing, but they told me there was a long waiting list and that I might never get a flat.

'They said I should try to find a privately rented place, so I went through the local paper, made loads of phone calls, and looked in shop windows. But everywhere needed a deposit and a month's rent up front, which I hadn't thought about.'

Feeling stressed out?

It was a complete nightmare - and then I lost my job

'I'd been sleeping on my mate's sofa for a while by then, and I knew I was getting in the way. I was totally stressed out - I couldn't stay where I was, didn't want to go back to my parents', and couldn't find anywhere I could afford. It was a complete nightmare... and then I lost my job.'

Getting help

'I'd heard about the local Shelter office so I phoned for an appointment. An adviser there explained the pros and cons of all my housing options, including places I might be able to stay in right away, like hostels.

'I eventually got a place in a shared house, close to my friends. My adviser helped me fill in a housing benefit form, which I'd never done before, and helped me apply for a loan to buy stuff I needed for my new place.

'I get on really well with my housemates, and now that I'm settled, I'm looking for a new job.'

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