THE moment York mother Jodie Dowson gives birth, she will effectively become homeless.

Jodie, who is 23, is due to have her second child in the next few days, but she is faced with the awful prospect of having nowhere to live - because the council will not house her.

Jodie, whose son lives with her parents in Holgate, has been staying at the homeless shelter in Peasholme Green since June, but it operates a strict "no children" policy.

She said City of York Council housing officers told her she was not eligible for a council house because she had made herself "intentionally homeless" while a tenant of a flat in Foxwood several years ago.

But Jodie claims she was forced to leave because of problems with nuisance neighbours.

"The best the council can come up with is to tell us that the hospital won't kick us out with nowhere to live," she said.

"I don't want it to get to that stage.

"How I haven't given birth already because of the stress of it all, I don't know."

Jodie said she was frantically trying to secure a one-bedroomed flat before her baby was born.

Steve Waddington, the council's assistance director of housing, said: "Following a full investigation, Ms Dowson was found to be homeless, in priority need, but intentionally homeless from her previous Housing Association accommodation and as such, the council does not have a duty to provide accommodation, only to provide advice and assistance.

"Ms Dowson was advised of this in October 2004 and since that date (the council) have been supporting Ms Dowson to find alternative accommodation and medical and pre-natal services.

"Ms Dowson has known since July 2004 that she cannot remain at the hostel once her baby is born.

"Unfortunately, Ms Dowson has not yet found alternative accommodation, but the support is ongoing."

Jodie's partner of two years and father-to-be, Stephen Cunliffe, said he was likely to stay at the Peasholme Green shelter until alternative accommodation could be found for the whole family.

"It's terrible," he said.

"We're finding it very difficult to come to terms with.

"No one seems able to help us."

Jodie's mother, Chrissy Winspear, said: "Jodie has tried everything.

"There are many people we know who are in terrible arrears with the council but still have a roof over their heads. Where's the justice?"

Updated: 10:07 Tuesday, January 11, 2005