Woman who slept in car happy for home this Christmas

A woman who slept in her car after becoming homeless says her future is beginning to look brighter after moving into a temporary home.

Rosie was taken in by Roffey Place in Horsham, West Sussex, after becoming homeless in January following the breakdown of a relationship.

Now living in move-on transitioning housing, she said she was grateful to have a roof over her head during the "harsh" festive period.

"It's cold and gloomy, and there isn't really anything to do," she said.

"It's either cold food or not eating at all. And you have to pile a load of blankets on to you to try and feel warm."

She added: "Christmas is one of my favourite times of year. So it means a lot to have somewhere that is warm and dry.

"The future for me is starting to look brighter and brighter."

She said she was now on the council housing list, thanks to help from homeless services charity Turning Tides.

Tara Sims, of Turning Tides, said those who slept in cars, like Rosie, often were not recognised as being homeless as they are not as visible.

"Because we're quite rural, hidden homeless is huge because it is not as in your face as it is in a city," she said.

"There's people hidden away in the forest, in the woods, sofa surfing and sleeping in cars."

Ms Sims added that there was a lot of undeserved "shame" felt by the homeless over their living arrangements.

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