I understand your not wanting to engage him. On the other hand, when you give him these stonewall non-answers, it just feeds into his idea that you are dragging your feet. I still think it would be more productive to actually communicate the facts - "No, H, I haven't found a place yet, because until the financials are done, I have no money for rent deposit and no idea of what I can afford." THEN walk away.
That puts the ball back into his court, and diminishes his fantasy that you are just holding on to him.
