Army veteran left homeless after council officials did not make him housing list priority as he is 'not a drunk or drug addict'
An army veteran who served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia for almost 10 years and became homeless claims he was told he is not on a council's 'priority list' because 'he doesn't have a drink or drug problem'.
Matthew Dennis, 39, has already been forced to sleep rough once and is now concerned he could end up having to sleep on the streets again.
The former Lance Corporal claims he was told by Bournemouth District Council that as he does not have a drink or drug problem he is not on their 'priority list' for accommodation so has been left homeless.
In failing to find him a home the authority also is not following the armed forces covenant, which was introduced by the Ministry of Defence, to ensure service personnel are not disadvantaged by being in the army.
Under the covenant authorities are required to give priority to help former service personnel find housing. Bournemouth District Council claimed this did not apply after veterans had been out of the army for five years - but the Ministry of Defence said there is no time limit on the covenant.
Mr Dennis said: 'I do feel let down.'
'I went to the council for help. They said since I don't have any problems with drugs or alcohol, I am not a priority.'
Mr Dennis was evicted from his rented flat last week after losing his job as a kitchen fitter which he worked as since leaving the armed forces in 2000. He lost his job after the company went into liquidation.
An army veteran who served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia for almost 10 years and became homeless claims he was told he is not on a council's 'priority list' because 'he doesn't have a drink or drug problem'.
Matthew Dennis, 39, has already been forced to sleep rough once and is now concerned he could end up having to sleep on the streets again.
The former Lance Corporal claims he was told by Bournemouth District Council that as he does not have a drink or drug problem he is not on their 'priority list' for accommodation so has been left homeless.
In failing to find him a home the authority also is not following the armed forces covenant, which was introduced by the Ministry of Defence, to ensure service personnel are not disadvantaged by being in the army.
Under the covenant authorities are required to give priority to help former service personnel find housing. Bournemouth District Council claimed this did not apply after veterans had been out of the army for five years - but the Ministry of Defence said there is no time limit on the covenant.
Mr Dennis said: 'I do feel let down.'
'I went to the council for help. They said since I don't have any problems with drugs or alcohol, I am not a priority.'
Mr Dennis was evicted from his rented flat last week after losing his job as a kitchen fitter which he worked as since leaving the armed forces in 2000. He lost his job after the company went into liquidation.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2860748/Army-veteran-left-homeless-council-officials-did-not-make-housing-list-priority-not-drunk-d
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