"I'm being made to choose between a permanent home and my dogs"
- 12 days ago
A man living in his car claims he is being forced to choose between his beloved dogs and a permanent roof over his head.
Paul Growns became homeless in January 2022 and, despite working a full-time job, is still living out his car with his pets more than two years later.
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—and almost all private temporary accommodation has 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.”
Paul is now urging more landlords and private providers to accept pets.
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 added: “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.
“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—having 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.”
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 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.”
Paul Growns became homeless in January 2022 and, despite working a full-time job, is still living out his car with his pets more than two years later.
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—and almost all private temporary accommodation has 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.”
Paul is now urging more landlords and private providers to accept pets.
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 added: “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.
“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—having 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.”
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 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.”