I don't know what it's like in the UK, but in Belgium, if you have a legitimate reason you can't live with your family, you can live on welfare. Sure, it costs tax money, but for a situation like this, I really don't give a crap.
Well, I have a male, childless friend that went this way, and he got an appartement. That's how I know this is a thing. But then homelessness isn't all that big in Belgium.