London Borough of Tower Hamlets (19 014 085)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 12-Jan-2021

Summary: Miss X complains the Council did not inform her of her rights when considering her homeless application and failed to provide information about its bidding process. Miss X also complains the Council delayed dealing with her application. She says this caused unnecessary frustration and stress to herself and her family. We have found fault in the Council’s actions regarding this matter and the Council has agreed an appropriate remedy to address the injustice caused to Miss X.

Dover District Council (19 009 246)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 08-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr G complains about the Council’s provision of adapted housing. And how, twice, it placed him in unsuitable accommodation. The Ombudsman upholds the complaint, because of fault with parts of the complaint. The Council has agreed to our recommendations.

Brighton & Hove City Council (19 019 510)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 05-Jan-2021

Summary: Miss B complains the Council did not properly address concerns about mould in her temporary accommodation. She also complains the Council tried to move her to accommodation that was not suitable. I find fault in the Council delaying in responding to the concerns about mould. However, I do not find fault in how it considered the suitability of accommodation it offered.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (20 007 592)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 05-Jan-2021

Summary: Miss D complained the Council was wrong to decide her temporary accommodation was suitable. We found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered this matter.

London Borough of Newham (19 012 705)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 23-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr F complains the Council placed him and his family in unsuitable temporary accommodation, did not protect their belongings, took back a duty of care despite earlier stating it had ended and did not give them long enough to consider an offer of permanent accommodation. The Ombudsman upholds the complaint, because we have found some fault with the Council’s administration. But with the key issue of the duty of care, our view is the Council did retain the duty of care to Mr F and his family.

Westminster City Council (19 018 657)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 22-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of his homelessness case. He said the Council failed to take appropriate action when he asked for support. We find fault with the Council for not providing interim accommodation in February 2018. We also find fault with the Council’s complaint handling. We have made recommendations.

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (20 005 079)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 22-Dec-2020

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that he received inadequate support from the Council with his housing issues and it declined his request for a new housing officer to deal with his case. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (19 013 703)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 21-Dec-2020

Summary: Miss Y complains the Council did not provide her with suitable accommodation when she became homeless. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council causing injustice. The Council has agreed to remedy this by apologising and paying Miss Y £1,750 to reflect the avoidable distress, time and trouble its faults caused her.

Milton Keynes Council (20 004 113)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 21-Dec-2020

Summary: There was fault by the Council in how it dealt with Miss B’s housing situation and in the social worker’s assessment of the needs of the family. The Council was not clear about whether it had decided it owed a homelessness duty to her. There were confusing entries in the Council’s Child and Family Assessment, and the Council did not send a copy of this to Miss B until she asked for it. The shortcomings caused Miss B distress and frustration. The Council should apologise to her, amend its records, and share this decision with relevant staff.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 015 800)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 18-Dec-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has not considered her medical condition as part of her housing application and that she is overcrowded. There is no evidence to suggest the Council has placed Mrs X in the wrong priority band or that it has not considered her medical evidence. The Council has suggested Mrs X should get an occupational therapy assessment.