Help!! Housing at uni (York)

Hi,
I’m incredibly stuck in housing. Four of us have been looking for months and everytime we apply, somebody else gets the house. We have applied to over forty and I’m feeling beyond upset and in despair at this point.
We found one singular house left and it’s 5 miles away. I don’t personally feel comfortable having to travel like an hour and spend that much on transport on top of other stuff.
Do I split and try and find other people or a room share? I have no idea what to do. It worries me getting into a financial contract with people I don’t know. At least I know these three (flatmates) and have lived with them so know they are clean and respectful.
Any help is extremely appreciated.

i was in the same position! i just graduated but i did four years there (undergrad and masters). i know that non-first years can apply to uni accom and can apply as groups, but from memory that deadline is usually january. i ended up going private accom (i went with hello student) and did that for three years as it was the only thing i could guarantee. most of these also allow you to go as a group, and i think a few do group discounts? or like “refer a friend and both get x% discount” sort of thing. if that’s in ur budget/ur friends budgets that’s what i’d recommend going with!