A HOMELESS man who has been forced to sleep in his car with his 17-year-old son for over a month says he feels totally let down by the system . Stephen Timbrell, 43, and son Daniel had been living with his partner in her housing association property in M

A HOMELESS man who has been forced to sleep in his car with his 17-year-old son for over a month says he feels "totally let down by the system".

Stephen Timbrell, 43, and son Daniel had been living with his partner in her housing association property in Mansfield Road, Baldock, until she asked them to leave on April 8.

Despite contacting North Herts District Council immediately, up until this week Mr Timbrell and Daniel have only been given one night's accommodation.

They have now been offered a temporary place in a hostel in Knebworth but Mr Timbrell has hit out at NHDC.

Mr Timbrell was due to start a new job just after being made homeless but says he has been unable to work because of his living circumstances.

He said: "I just feel the council has let me down big-style from the beginning.

"In this day and age when they know that me and a 17-year-old are sleeping in a car I can't believe it's taken them a month to decide whether or not we're a priority.

"I've paid tax and national insurance for the better part of 28 years and when you ask for help it's just not there.

"It's a nightmare, I've never ever been in this position."

A spokesman for NHDC's housing department said he could not comment on individual cases.

He said: "We look at each case on its merits, taking individual circumstances into account.

"We are bound by legislation to offer appropriate levels of service according to the circumstances of the client and we aim to help each household as quickly as possible.

"This includes exploring a client's housing options. For example, we can liaise with private landlords for them or in emergencies place them into temporary accommodation.