A WOMAN who gave up her home to care for her dying father is facing a Christmas housing crisis after he died.

Patricia Wooten, 64, and her partner, John Ward, 66, have nowhere to go after Basildon Council told them they must be out of her father’s house by Monday.

Ms Wooten gave up her privatelyrented home in 2011 to move in with her 90-year-old father, Alfred Torr, in his council house in Holgate, Pitsea, and look after him.

Nowhe has died, the council says she must leave.

Ms Wooten said: “My mum, Irene, died of a massive heart attack in October 2010.

“About a year later, my dad had a heart attack and was diagnosed with heart failure and kidney disease.

“He did not want to go into a care home, so my partner and I gave up our rented flat to move in and care for him.

“My dad passed away in August and the council has now told us we must leave by December 15, because we are not entitled to succeed him as tenants.

“The problem is we have retired from work now and cannot afford the deposit or rent on a private flat.

“I have been on the council house waiting list for ten years and have not got anywhere.

“We do not have anywhere to go.

I am so scared we will be homeless for Christmas. The stress of losing my parents and now losing my home has made us both ill.

“It is so unfair. The council is throwing us out of this house, but has not given us any alternative place to go. It just does not care about us.”

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: “Ms Wooten is fully aware of the reasons why she is unable to succeed to the tenancy of her late father.

“She is also aware that the council is actively looking to see if an offer of housing can be made via the homeseeker register to prevent her becoming homeless.

“Her application for this is currently being assessed.

“It is normal practice for a notice to quit to be served when a request for succession has been refused.

“The council has contacted Ms Wooten to explain we have agreed to allow her to remain in the property on a ‘use and occupation’ basis while the assessment of her housing application is being processed and no legal action would be taken until the outcome is known.

“The council is doing everything it can to ensure this case is being dealt with fairly, however we have to have a consistent approach.”