A HOMELESS man has been living in his car with his two dogs in Poole because, he claims, he has been snubbed by Bournemouth council in his attempts to find accommodation.

Colin Raynes, 36, says he registered with the council two and a half years ago because he needed somewhere to live.

However, when he decided he had waited long enough and visited the housing offices last month, he was told that his name was not on the list and that because he is single he does not qualify for housing assistance.

"I was told that because I was single there was nothing they could do and because I was not a priority need case they could only put me on their long-term housing list," he said.

"I have been back four or five times in the last two years but last month they said I wasn't even registered.

"Because of my situation I have been getting depressed, so I have been unable to hold down a job.

"They said I needed a doctor's note to say I have been depressed, which I have got, but I am still not priority need. This situation is just making me worse.

"Although there is government assistance for people like me for about £400 to find a deposit, I need more like £900 to find a place."

Mr Raynes lost his job as a window fabricator because of his depression and he does not qualify for retraining because he has not been unemployed for six months.

Meanwhile, he has been living in his Vauxhall Cavalier in Parkstone with his two Staffordshire crosses.

Andy Rose, housing services manager for Bournemouth council, said of Mr Raynes's situation: "We would have had to assess whether he was homeless or vulnerable or in priority need.

"If Mr Raynes was not considered to be in priority need we would normally have put him on the long-term housing list.

"Priority need is usually reserved for people who are 16 or 17 years old, are old or have certain physical or mental health issues.

"Our long-term housing list is about 2,500 long and covers single people and families.

"We probably rehouse about 400 to 500 people a year from that list."

He added: "If we think that Mr Raynes needs to be rehoused then we would interview him again," Mr Rose added.

First published: September 6