London Borough of Hackney (21 014 817)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 15-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s service. This is because it is unlikely our involvement at this time would make a significant difference to Mr C’s housing situation and lead to a different outcome for him.

Horsham District Council (20 012 056)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 11-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to act when it became aware his temporary accommodation was unsuitable due to an inadequate water supply. He said this caused him an injustice as his medical condition meant the lack of water supply caused him severe difficulties. He was also upset at the way the Council interacted with him and considered his treatment might have been motivated by racism. The Council was at fault for failing to respond appropriately to the information Mr X provided about how water flow issues in his accommodation were impacting upon his condition. We have made recommendations to acknowledge the distress this caused. We have not found evidence of racist or other improper motivation.

London Borough of Newham (21 004 044)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 11-Feb-2022

Summary: Miss X complains about how the Council has dealt with her complaint about housing needs and homelessness. The Council was at fault because it did not accept its homelessness duty to Miss X when it should have done. The Council has offered to pay Miss X £150 for her time and trouble and £500 for distress. This is an appropriate remedy.

Birmingham City Council (21 004 902)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 10-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council placed him and his family in bed and breakfast for five months. The Council is at fault as left Mr X and his family in bed and breakfast accommodation for 17 weeks longer than the legal limit. This caused significant distress to Mr and Mrs X including affecting their mental health and their children’s ability to do their school work. The Council has agreed to make a payment of £1700 to Mr X to acknowledge his and his family’s injustice.

London Borough of Bromley (21 015 086)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 09-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to discharge its homeless duty to Mr X. It was reasonable for him to seek a review of the decision which he has now submitted.

London Borough of Hounslow (21 005 892)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 08-Feb-2022

Summary: The Council’s failure to take a homeless application when Miss X said she was at risk of domestic abuse is fault. The Council is also at fault for failing to provide interim accommodation at the earliest opportunity. The Council has agreed to apologise, pay Miss X £1,500, and take action to improve its services.

London Borough of Barnet (21 015 500)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 07-Feb-2022

Summary: A man complained that the Council had unreasonably ended its housing duty in his case after he refused an offer of accommodation. But we will not investigate this matter because the man had court appeal rights he could have used to challenge the Council’s decision.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (20 009 614)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 07-Feb-2022

Summary: Miss X complains about the Council’s handling of her requests for help with housing since she became homeless while pregnant and fleeing violence. The Council was at fault for not acting on Miss X requests for help in line with legislation, which led to Miss X being forced to move out of the area and give up her job. The Council’s offer of redress did not go far enough to remedy the injustice caused. It has agreed to provide the enhanced remedy we recommended to Miss X, reviews its procedures and complete a quality review of a sample of its housing cases.

London Borough of Ealing (20 012 435)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 04-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision on his homelessness application. The Ombudsman found the Council at fault for delays and errors in its decision-making process which the Council agreed to remedy. However, the Ombudsman did not find fault in the Council’s final decision about Mr X’s homelessness.

Warwick District Council (21 013 767)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 04-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the suitability of accommodation offered by the Council to Mr X under its homeless duty. It is reasonable for him to ask for a review of the Council’s decision and to exercise his right of appeal to the court if this is unsuccessful.