Just a small pointer from me to your 2)
I became homeless in 2016 at age 69, living out of my car. I was born and bred here and did a little bit for my country, and was very proud to do so too. I signed up in the Army at the age of 16 in 1964 in the 1st Battalion Queens Royal Surrey Regiment. When I became homeless, I went to my then-local Council in Oxted, Surrey, Tandridge Council, they told me to go to Shelter who were as much use as a chocolate ashtray. Meanwhile, a family of 4 immigrants were given a 2-bed house in Harlow, Essex, very cosy. So, your assumption that help is available might just be a bit wide of the mark, it certainly was for me. I sorted everything on my own in the end.