Ms Dodson has had to move home 18 times. On the most recent occasion, she was served with a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notice after seven years living in her current flat.
She said the landlord needs her to move out while he updates the property to meet fire safety regulations.
With no guarantor and only £20 in her bank account, she is unable to put down a deposit on another property which she estimates would be £1,800 for a two-bed flat in the area.
Her adult son lives with her, but he recently lost his job making pallets. Ms Dodson is also unemployed after leaving a role at House of Fraser just before the pandemic.
Thurrock Council said it would be reviewing letters sent to residents after being made aware of the recent communication to Ms Dodson.
A spokesperson for Thurrock Council said: “We have the utmost sympathy for all residents who are struggling with homelessness and are very sorry that this letter may not have fully reflected that.
“The letter followed conversations with the resident in which officers explained that she would be unlikely to meet the criteria for priority need and, as a result, interim accommodation, but that help is available to her in line with our other legal duties as she faces homelessness.
“This includes the resident and the council agreeing a plan with to help her find suitable accommodation, including outlining the financial support available to her. This work is ongoing to enable her to secure a suitable home as quickly as possible.
“There is a formal legal process we have to follow when assessing someone’s eligibility for housing and this letter, and wording used, is part of that process. We accept we could have expressed that better and will be reviewing our letters to residents in light of this.”
As of last year, there are more than 4,000 people on the waiting list for council housing in Thurrock.
The council said it had acquired or built 328 social homes over the past five years, while selling 301 through the Right to Buy scheme in the same timeframe.