Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the support Mr X received from the Council when he became homeless in 2023. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason Mr X did not bring this complaint to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council failed to properly support him when he become homeless in 2023. Mr X seeks an apology from the Council and a financial remedy.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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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. Mr X complained to the Ombudsman about a lack of support from the Council when he became homeless in 2023.
6. We expect complainants to complain to us within twelve months of becoming aware of the issue and there is no good reason I can see that Mr X did not complain to us sooner.
7. This complaint is now late and so we will not investigate it further.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and no good reason has been provided for not complaining sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman