North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 011 780)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 22-Feb-2021

Summary: Ms X complains the Council took too long to complete a review of its homelessness decision, provided accommodation in a poor condition, and refused to help meet the costs of storage. There is some fault by the Council. The Council should apologise and make a financial payment to Ms X to remedy the injustice caused.

London Borough of Hounslow (20 001 720)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 22-Feb-2021

Summary: It is likely, on the balance of probabilities, the private rental property offered to Miss X on a direct let scheme complied with the scheme’s requirements. There was fault, as the Council failed to refer complaints about the landlord not repairing windows and the boiler to the housing enforcement team quickly. The Council has already offered Miss X a Council tenancy to a new property, with a furniture pack which is a satisfactory remedy to complaints about draughts from the window and a lack of heating for 2 months.

Warwick District Council (20 003 929)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 18-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr B complained the Council did not provide suitable interim accommodation when he and his family presented as homeless. Mr B said his family were having to live in a caravan. We have not found fault with the Council.

Milton Keynes Council (19 014 011)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 17-Feb-2021

Summary: Ms X complains the Council did not give her proper assistance when she approached as homeless. The Council failed to take an application at the earliest opportunity, did not issue decision letters or a personalised housing plan, and failed to consider the suitability of interim accommodation. These faults caused Ms X injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a financial payment to Ms X, and take action to improve its service.

Exeter City Council (20 009 282)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 12-Feb-2021

Summary: We shall not investigate Miss X’s complaint about what happened when she was homeless. The complaint is late without strong enough reason to investigate it now.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (19 020 804)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 11-Feb-2021

Summary: Miss B complains about the way the Council dealt with her homelessness application and her concerns about the suitability of the accommodation it provided. The Ombudsman has not found fault in the Council’s actions except some delay and procedural failings in the handling of Miss B’s homelessness application. We do not consider that this fault has caused injustice for which we would seek a personal remedy but have made recommendations as to the Council’s future practices, which the Council has agreed.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (20 005 431)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 04-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council has dealt with his housing case since March 2020. He says he was unreasonably evicted from temporary accommodation, the Council failed to provide alternative temporary accommodation following his eviction, the Council failed to provide support following his eviction, and the flat the Council offered him is not suitable. We find no fault with the way the Council dealt with Mr X’s housing case.

London Borough of Camden (19 014 383)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 04-Feb-2021

Summary: There were failings in the way the Council dealt with Miss B’s housing and homelessness applications. In particular, it failed to respond to her complaint and delayed accepting that it owed her the main housing duty. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Miss B. It will also take action to prevent similar failings in future.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (20 003 104)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 03-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the standard of temporary bed and breakfast accommodation provided by the Council and other related matters. The Council has accepted the remedial action taken by the hotel may not have resolved the vermin problem and has offered to cancel her rent arrears. We consider this to be a proportionate remedy for the distress caused to Mrs X by this fault.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (20 000 910)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 02-Feb-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council handled her request for housing assistance when she was threatened with homelessness and her application for sheltered housing. The Council was at fault and this caused injustice to Miss X. It has agreed to apologise to Miss X, provide a financial remedy, and make service improvements.