A pregnant 16-year-old and her partner are being left to sleep in a lay-by after the council failed to find them accommodation.Paul Watkins, 44, came back to Basingstoke, where he was born and grew up, to find work and a roof for him and his partner Michaela Else, 16.
The former lorry driver came to the town on Wednesday 11 after being served a 28-day notice in Scunthorpe.
He said: “I have been working for over 22 years and I can't even get help in my own country. It's a disgrace that I have just been fobbed off by the council like this.
Since arriving from Scunthorpe, the two have paid £25 to camp out in a tent at Old Barn Farm camping site, Liphook.
From Monday, the couple, who have been together since Easter, have been sleeping in his Honda Civic in lay-bys around Basingstoke.
“What worries me is simply that she is young, pregnant and very vulnerable. Anything could happen to her.
“At the moment we just don't know where to turn. I have been to the council or job office everyday from eight in the morning until late at night.
“This is the most down I have ever been in my entire life.”
The couple say that family troubles at Ms Else's parents mean they are not able to stay with them and have to find a place on their own.
The couple are engaged but cannot legally marry until she turns 17 in December. She is currently 15 weeks pregnant and by being homeless is struggling to find appropriate medical care.
Mr Watkins said: “We went up to a centre in Winklebury for them to do a test and the first thing they did was ask us what catchment area we were from, there is nothing I can do.”
The council are aware of Mr Watkins application for housing. Corporate Director Dorcas Bunton said: “We cannot comment on individual cases. Under homeless legislation we have a duty to house people who don’t have any other alternative accommodation and are in priority need.
“In any situation where we are approached by someone who feels they are homeless, we will assess their circumstances and provide them with the relevant advice and support in accordance with the Housing Act 1996.”
Mr Watkins added: “We fit the criteria, we tick all the boxes needed, but we are still sleeping in our car tonight.”
