Rochford Man Faces Freezing Winter in Car After Losing His Home
Lee Steeton shares his struggle of living in a car with his dog after becoming homeless
Rochford, UK, Homelessness, Winter, Rescue Dog, Support Services
Rochford: Life can change in an instant, and Lee Steeton knows this all too well. He’s been living in his car with his rescue dog, Lara, since November. It’s been a tough winter for them.
Lee, 55, used to have a good job in London and was happily married. But after his marriage ended and he had a stroke, everything fell apart. Suddenly, he found himself without a home.
After losing his place, Lee and Lara traveled around Norfolk, trying to stay positive despite the tough times. Now back in south Essex, he’s been told it could take six months to find a new home.
He’s been sleeping in his car around Southend and Rochford, braving freezing temperatures. “It’s dropped to minus eight degrees at times,” he shared, relying on a camping stove for meals.
Lee has a solid background, having worked for IBM for over 20 years, including during the 2012 London Olympics. Despite his skills, he’s found it hard to get back on his feet.
He’s grateful for the help from St Vincent’s Centre in Southend, where he gets hot meals and housing advice. He’s even volunteering there to give back.
Despite everything, Lee remains hopeful. “I’m really positive and I know I will get myself out of this situation,” he said. He’s been using his knowledge of the area to find safe spots to sleep.
He tries to take Lara to the beach a couple of times a week for some fun. “I’m lucky to have my car,” he noted, mentioning others he’s met who are sleeping on the streets.
A spokesperson for Rochford Council said they’re working with Lee to find housing options. They had offered him a B&B, but he couldn’t go without Lara, and unfortunately, no dog-friendly options were available.