Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has not provided appropriate homelessness support. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, says the Council has not provided help with his homelessness. He says he presented as homeless and the Council would not help. Mr X wants the Council to properly assess his circumstances and allow him to access services.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate 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), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council. This includes the complaint correspondence. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X has lived in a range of properties including supported accommodation and HMOs. He has presented to the Council as homeless many times and has referred to problems including harassment from other tenants, trafficking and grooming.
5. The Council has responded in various ways including offering accommodation, making referrals to housing providers, checking with Mr X’s support worker (who confirmed in December that Mr X was not homeless), making referrals to health support and adult social care, and giving advice about other housing options. The Council found no evidence Mr X is at risk of trafficking or grooming but it reminded him he could contact the police. It also signposted Mr X to sources of support with his health.
6. I appreciate Mr X thinks the Council has not provided appropriate support with his housing, but I have not seen anything to suggest we need to start an investigation. As described above, the Council has offered a range of support and there is insufficient evidence of fault to require an investigation.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman