Gravesham Borough Council (19 009 230)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 11-Oct-2019

Summary: A woman complained that the Council had unreasonably decided she was intentionally homeless and had failed to help her family with housing despite their difficult circumstances. But the Ombudsman will not investigate this matter. This is because the woman has statutory review and appeal rights she can use to challenge the Council’s decision, and there is no sign of other fault in the way it has dealt with her housing case.

London Borough of Redbridge (18 015 449)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 10-Oct-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about the suitability of her temporary accommodation. This is because it would be reasonable to expect her to ask for an out of time review of the suitability of her accommodation and to go to court if the Council does not resolve any compensation claim to her satisfaction.

Coventry City Council (19 000 630)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 09-Oct-2019

Summary: The Council took sufficient action to assist Mr X in relieving his homelessness. The Council is at fault as it placed Mr X in a room which had not been cleaned when it provided emergency accommodation. But this did not cause significant injustice to Mr X and there is no evidence to show the emergency accommodation overall was unsuitable.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (19 001 001)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 09-Oct-2019

Summary: Ms X complained the Council attempted to place her and her young child into unsuitable temporary accommodation and failed to consider her status as a Council employee when she applied for housing assistance. There was no fault in the way the Council dealt with her housing needs.

Mid Devon District Council (19 002 186)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 09-Oct-2019

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to no longer support rehousing a refugee family through the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS). Ms X says the Council inspected a property she had found and agreed it was suitable. She said the Council later told her it did not have the resources to commit to settle a family in the property Ms X had bought. The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation. This is because the matter is still ongoing.

London Borough of Brent (19 006 877)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 07-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s communication with him concerning his housing situation. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice which would warrant an investigation.

Corby Borough Council (18 013 976)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 07-Oct-2019

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to make accommodation available to Miss B for two weeks after she became homeless, despite knowing of her impending homelessness four weeks in advance. Miss B experienced distress and uncertainty during this two-week period, and paid for hotels. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss B and make a payment of £350 to recognise her injustice.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (18 014 676)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 07-Oct-2019

Summary: Miss B complains about the Council’s involvement in her housing situation when she came out of hospital. She says the property she felt forced to move to is unsuitable for her and, as it is one bedroom, her teenage son cannot live or stay with her. There was fault by the Council in not formally considering whether Miss B was homeless in June 2018. This is unlikely to have affected Miss B’s housing situation but the Council should apologise.

Hastings Borough Council (19 007 515)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 02-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s assessment of his homeless application in 2016. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because the complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period and it was reasonable for Mr X to appeal the decision to the court in 2016.

Westminster City Council (18 014 420)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 27-Sep-2019

Summary: Miss X has complained about how the Council dealt with concerns about her temporary accommodation. There is evidence of fault by the Council.