I am currently a student midwife dropping out in september to do social work! I was so, so worried about dropping out of a course that it so difficult to get into, but it is possibly the best decision I have ever made for myself. It is unlikely that you would get a place for september 2012, especially not for midwifery, although it is more possible for nursing. So, I would advise applying for september 2013 and my suggestion would be that because you need work experience to apply for nursing and midwifery, that you spend the next year getting work experience. This way maybe you could get around the house situation by getting a job that pays the rent, and spending some time when you're not working getting some work experience. It is sad that you were put off nursing/midwifery by the competition, unfortunately it seems a lot of people are told not to apply because of the competition. Although I am dropping out because it is not for me, I have seen from other people on my course that if it is really what you want to do, then despite the hard work you will love it!
First of all, about the grades for the entry requirements. Assuming you are finishing and passing the first year of your current degree, you will get a certificate of higher education. This combined with the fact that you weren't far off in your A Levels is quite likely to be enough for the universities you apply to, but check with them first.
I'm afraid I have no advice about the house. As far as I am aware with student finance, you will not immediately have to pay it back. For nursing and midwifery, the tuition fees are paid by the NHS and you are eligible for a bursary (that you don't have to pay back) from the NHS, although the amount you receive will depend on your household income (unless you are in Wales, where it is non-means tested).