A HOMELESS couple in Newport have found a temporary home for Christmas thanks to the kindness of a group of local women.

Newport City Council have said that, under the Housing Wales Act, they have a duty of care to people who are homeless and are aware of this couple, but that they can’t comment on individual cases.

Paula, 47, and Steve, 38, were forced to leave Liverpool 16 months ago because of Paula’s violent ex-partner.

Since then, the couple have lived in the streets. They were homeless in Bristol for 10 months before moving to Newport.

Things changed for them about six weeks ago, when they met Gaynor Hennessy, a 44-year-old woman from Malpas who let them stay in her back garden after speaking with them at the end of a night out.

“We met outside Potters,” she said. “When we left, my feet were aching and my friends were trying to take my shoes off.

“Paula was laughing about me so I started to have a chat with them.

“They seemed lovely and honest so I let them sleep on my back garden, where they put their tent up. They were over the moon with it.”

Ms Hennessy said that she has been checking on them ever since and started to ask for things on Facebook.

“It was like begging, but the response was amazing,” she said. “About three weeks ago, someone destroyed their tent and their belongings. We got them a brand new tent, sleeping bags and clothes.

“Now, it’s a group of us that helps them.”

Ms Hennessy said that someone who they knew had an empty house that they’ll be putting for sale at the beginning of the year.

“They said Paula and Steve can stay there temporarily as long as they pay the gas and electricity,” she said. “They moved there on Tuesday, which is amazing as we were worried Paula wasn’t going to survive because of all the health problems she has.

“This is a step on the right direction for them. When you have been homeless for 16 months, you have to take one step at a time.”

Paula, who is disabled, said that she is ecstatic. “I can’t put it in words, this is like the best Christmas present and the lottery together,” she said. “The night before me moved out, we woke up to rats.

“I’ve always felt safe because I’ve my partner, but now I’m indoors and warm.”

Steve, who struggles with depression, said: “What we have now is overwhelming. This morning I had a shower and I got picked up in a nice car.

“We still have a long way to go, but we now have real friends.

“I want to move forward now and I want to get a job.”

Paula and Steve would like to thank everyone who has helped them, especially the person who has lent them the property.

A Newport City Council spokeswoman said: "Under the Housing Wales Act 2014, the Council has a duty of care to people who are homeless.

"Newport City Council is aware of this couple but does not comment on individual cases."