Homelessness

Recent statements in this category are shown below:

  • Westminster City Council (17 009 961)

    Statement Upheld Homelessness 04-Mar-2019

    Summary: The Ombudsman found fault on Ms C's complaint against the Council. It failed to provide her with suitable temporary accommodation after a change in circumstances. There were delays resolving some disrepairs and it failed to process her complaint according to its complaints procedure. It was not at fault for failing to give her extra points under its allocation policy or taking possession proceedings. Children Services supported a referral to a special panel and asked about direct offers. The agreed action remedies the injustice caused.

  • London Borough of Barnet (18 004 124)

    Statement Not upheld Homelessness 04-Mar-2019

    Summary: The Council was not at fault for refusing to take a fresh homelessness application from Ms B.

  • Birmingham City Council (17 014 963)

    Statement Upheld Homelessness 01-Mar-2019

    Summary: Ms D complains at the service received from the Council since she began needing social care in 2017, around the same time she also became threatened with homelessness. We find fault in some of the services provided by the Council, especially placing Ms D in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks outside of the City. We find this caused her injustice as distress. The Council has agreed these findings and will provide a remedy to the complaint.

  • London Borough of Merton (18 007 593)

    Statement Upheld Homelessness 28-Feb-2019

    Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council handled his homelessness application. The Council is at fault for delaying sending a personalised housing plan and decision letter, for not offering interim accommodation, and for not advising about its housing register or how it could help with a deposit. The Council should pay Mr X £500 to remedy the lack of suitable accommodation and the uncertainty caused by the other failings.

  • Brighton & Hove City Council (17 018 497)

    Statement Upheld Homelessness 26-Feb-2019

    Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with her homelessness and housing applications. There was some fault with the way the Council considered the suitability of Ms X's interim accommodation. This warrants a remedy to Ms X.

  • London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (18 011 281)

    Statement Not upheld Homelessness 26-Feb-2019

    Summary: Miss X complained the Council placed her in unsuitable temporary bed and breakfast accommodation. The Council carried out the necessary checks on the property to decide it was suitable interim accommodation for single adults. It also considered Miss X's circumstances and needs before deciding it was appropriate for her. There was no fault by the Council.

  • London Borough of Wandsworth (18 011 237)

    Statement Not upheld Homelessness 26-Feb-2019

    Summary: Ms F complains that the London Borough of Wandsworth placed her in temporary accommodation that was infested with bed bugs and left her without heating or hot water for a period of 12 days. The evidence suggests that once it was aware of the problems the Council moved Ms F to alternative accommodation promptly. So, there are no grounds to consider the Council was at fault in its handling of these matter. There are no grounds for me to ask the Council to reimburse Ms F for infested furniture.

  • London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (18 003 231)

    Statement Not upheld Homelessness 25-Feb-2019

    Summary: Miss B complains about the Council's handling of her request for housing help. Miss B complains the Council placed her in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation in 2012 and has still not provided her with permanent accommodation. The Council was not at fault for not offering Miss B permanent accommodation yet. Also, Miss B's complaint about bed and breakfast accommodation is late and there are not good reasons to investigate this part of the complaint now.

  • Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (18 004 984)

    Statement Upheld Homelessness 20-Feb-2019

    Summary: Miss C complains about the way the Council dealt with her approach to it about threatened homelessness. In particular, she complains about the conduct of an officer who interviewed her. The Ombudsman does not have the evidence to uphold the complaint about what happened in the interview. But we uphold a complaint that the Council did not refer Miss C's contact on for a homeless assessment.

  • Crawley Borough Council (18 009 711)

    Statement Upheld Homelessness 15-Feb-2019

    Summary: Miss B complains about the Council's lack of housing help when she and her two children were made homeless. Miss B says the Council offered her unsuitable interim accommodation which resulted in her sleeping in a tent, and did not accept the main housing duty. The Council was not at fault for the matters Miss B complains about and it was reasonable for Miss B to use her review and appeal rights to challenge the Council's decision. But, the Council should have offered Miss B short term accommodation when it made its decision on her homelessness application. The Council has agreed to now make this offer. So, we have completed our investigation.

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