Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s homeless application. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of his homeless application. He says the Council has not provided him with temporary accommodation and has not issued a decision on his application.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council confirmed it has accepted the prevention duty. This means the Council will help Mr X to secure that accommodation does not cease to be available for his occupation. The Council also confirmed it is supporting Mr X with finding alternative private sector housing.
6. In February 2023, the Council identified a private rental property that was suitable for Mr X’s household. However, Mr X did not view the property and instead said it was too expensive. Mr X did not complete the Council’s budget planner before deciding this. The Council explained it would have been able to top up the rent, depending on what Mr X was able to afford.
7. An investigation is not justified as there is insufficient evidence of fault. The Council has accepted Mr X’s homeless application and accepted the prevention duty. Under the prevention duty, the Council does not need to provide any temporary accommodation. Instead, its duty is to help Mr X to ensure his accommodation does not stop being available for his occupation.
8. The Council is also taking appropriate action by supporting Mr X with finding alternative private sector housing as the Council has acknowledged there is very limited council housing of the size Mr X needs. It is up to Mr X to work with the Council when it has identified suitable private properties.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman