Birmingham City Council (18 015 819)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 27-Jul-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council dealt with his housing situation when he became homeless and secured employment in another local authority area. We found fault the Council failed to rebook hotel accommodation for Mr X and family causing distress and have recommended a suitable remedy in this case. So, we have completed our investigation.

London Borough of Southwark (19 011 343)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 23-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman finds the Council delayed significantly in reaching a decision on Mr B’s homelessness application and failed to properly assess the suitability of the temporary accommodation it provided for his family. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to remedy the injustice suffered by the family.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (19 015 346)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 23-Jul-2020

Summary: Miss B complains the Council has not dealt with her housing needs properly. The Council was at fault because it has not taken account of information about Miss B’s health and took too long to provide adaptations. Miss B suffered a fall and injured herself. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss B and pay her £500 for the harm and additional risk of harm she experienced.

London Borough of Ealing (20 000 836)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council handled Ms C’s housing situation after she became homeless. This is because it was not unreasonable to expect Ms C to use her statutory right of appeal.

London Borough of Barnet (20 000 907)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate a woman’s complaint that the Council unreasonably ended its homelessness duty in her case after she turned down an offer of accommodation. This is because the woman had a statutory right of appeal she could have used to challenge the Council’s review decision and, in any case, there is no sign of fault in the way it made that decision.

Somerset West and Taunton Council (19 012 645)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 17-Jul-2020

Summary: Fault by the Council resulted in Mr X being left without suitable permanent accommodation for nine months longer than should have been the case. The Council has now rehoused Mr X. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mr X to remedy the outstanding injustice Mr X suffered.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 013 484)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 17-Jul-2020

Summary: Mr B complains the Council’s homeless prevention team’s neglect and incompetence led to his eviction. Mr B says because of the Council’s actions he became homeless. The Ombudsman has not found fault with the Council’s actions. The Council told Mr B about its overpayment of housing benefit, gave him information about his appeal rights and explained what would happen if he did not pay his housing benefit overpayment.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 008 103)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 08-Jul-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council refused to provide temporary accommodation despite knowing he was street homeless and vulnerable. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as Mr X had a right to request a review of the Council’s decision and a subsequent right of appeal to court and it was reasonable for him to have used it.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 015 780)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 03-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s mishandling of his homelessness and housing applications. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate these matters.

London Borough of Haringey (19 014 008)

Report Upheld Homelessness 25-Jun-2020

Summary: Ms B complains about the way the Council responded to her request for housing.