SWLScar - by Elli Hodgson and Isobel Williams

A homeless man says he is being forced to choose between his pets and a roof over his head-- stating that he must either stay homeless or rehome his beloved dogs.

When Paul Growns became homeless in January 2022 he never imagined he'd still be living out his car with his dogs two years later.

Despite holding down a full-time job, after he's paid his child benefit, car insurance and storage costs, he's left with little money to live off.

Paul, who was born and raised in Maidstone, Kent, says he has not been offered temporary accommodation because the council say he is not in priority need.

The only option, they advise him, is to seek private accommodation — but almost all housing providers have a no pet-policy.

The 45-year-old says his two dogs, Max and Toby, are his lifeline and he is not prepared to re-home them or put them down just to get a permanent roof over his head.

He said: "Being an animal lover, you can't separate yourself from your animals because they're family and they're like your children while your homeless, because if you didn't have them, you've got no-one."

"Places don't accept pets, so you have a choice you either stay homeless or re-home your pets."

In 2021, Maidstone council adopted a ground-breaking new policy regarding the housing of homeless people who have pets.

The policy, officially named the John Chadwick Pet Policy, was introduced in memory of a homeless man who took his own life just 10 days after being forbidden from taking his dogs and cats into the emergency accommodation found for him.

The policy now states animals are permitted to be taken into council owned temporary accommodation.

However, the problem of limited council housing stock remains, with even less chance of finding pet-friendly housing outside of this as most social and private housing does not allow cats and dogs.

Paul is now urging more landlords and private providers to accept pets, while also asking Maidstone council to overturn their "non-priority" decision under the law."

Under the homelessness code of guidance for local authorities applicants have a priority need for accommodation if they are pregnant, have a child who is dependent on you, or are vulnerable, due to old age or mental illness.

Maidstone council said it has instructed its independent reviewer to consider Mr Growns' request to overturn the decision to find him a non-priority and is "awaiting the outcome"."

The spokesperson also said the council is working with him and others to identify a suitable housing solution, however Paul says he does not feel supported at all.

He said: "I've been looking everywhere for an animal friendly place to stay."

His dogs, Max, a Dachshund, and Toby, a Jack Russell, are inseparable and Paul says they are his "absolute world"."

Max who is seven, has been with Paul since his first day of homelessness, but currently has cancer.

"He's my pride and joy at the moment, aren't you," Paul added as he stroked Max's belly."

"These dogs are the reason I'm still here at the moment, because if I didn't have these, I don't know how long I'd be here."

"They are keeping me going, they're my rock and I'd be lost without them."

Paul has been sleeping out of his car in country lanes, car parks and lay-bys all while working full-time as a van driver which keeps his mind off things.

However, the ongoing uncertainty of his situation has taken its toll on Paul and recently he has been suffering with suicidal thoughts.

He has now been signed off work for two weeks following a recent attempt to take his own life.

He added: "Maidstone Borough council don't seem to care; all they keep saying is go private rent and have your dogs rehomed or put down and unfortunately, I can't do that."

"It's an absolute disgrace how I've been treated."

Before his 16-year relationship broke down, Paul was living in Kings Hill, Kent, with his wife and two children.

On January 24, 2022, he first presented himself as homeless to the council and filled out an application form, and says he waited eight months before being moved to a property in August 2022.

However, only a month later he lost the property because the landlord did not allow dogs, which Paul says he wasn't aware of.

Since then, he hasn't found a permanent place to live.

Aside from his battle to secure temporary accommodation, Paul says it is impossible to find social or private housing which allows him to live with his animals.

Paul, who is in Band H for homelessness, says not many properties come up for people like him and says he is "slowly giving up"."

He said: "I've been trying to keep a full-time job and sleep in my car, but it has been hard and I'm struggling."

When Paul was unable to keep staying with a friend in July 2023, the council told him he was eligible for relief duty on August 3, 2023, but after the 56 days had passed the council confirmed they would be ending his relief duty and were satisfied he did not have priority need.

Under the relief duty, you will be provided with emergency accommodation if the council has reason to believe you are in "priority need"."

On December 1 2023, Paul notified the council he wished to challenge that decision.

Over Christmas the council provided him temporary hotel accommodation but this only lasted a few days before he was asked to leave because he was not allowed to leave his animals unattended while he went to work.

Five months have now passed and he says his request for accommodation pending review was declined.

Paul says he has sent endless messages to private landlords through marketplace and Facebook where he asks whether the listing is still available and accepts pet, but the response each time is "sorry no pets"."

All he wants now is a place to live with his animals.

He added: "It is a disgrace the way people who are homeless who do have animals and pets are being treated by the local authorities."

"Most people go home every night to their family and dogs, and a nice warm bed - I wouldn't know what that feels like anymore."

ENDS