Leicester City Council (23 015 268 fr)

Report Upheld Homelessness 28-Aug-2025

Summary: We have written this further report because the Council has refused to comply with some recommendations made in our report issued on 15 October 2024. Although the Council has complied with our service improvement recommendations and agreed to make a payment for distress, it has refused to remedy all the personal injustice caused to Ms X, by the Council’s fault. We are not satisfied with the Council’s explanation for refusing to fully remedy the personal injustice to Ms X. We have therefore issued this further report to highlight our continuing concerns.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 014 175)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 19-Aug-2025

Summary: Miss X complained that the Council failed to properly help with her homelessness, had poor communication, and housed her and her young children in unsuitable accommodation, which caused them significant distress, uncertainty and affected their mental health. We find the Council at fault for its communication, complaint handling, and homelessness assistance which caused significant injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Miss X

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (25 002 377)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 19-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s homelessness and his complaint. We cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks.

London Borough of Hackney (25 002 624)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 19-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Ms X’s homelessness applications and the suitability of the accommodation provided to her. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to consider it now.

Colchester City Council (25 007 252)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 19-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint the Council refused to offer her social housing after she became homeless. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

South Kesteven District Council (24 010 719)

Report Upheld Homelessness 18-Aug-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the lack of support and accommodation the Council provided after he became homeless in 2024. He says this caused him significant stress while he was street homeless and made his health conditions worse.

Herefordshire Council (25 000 136)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 18-Aug-2025

Summary: We found fault by the Council on Miss Y’s complaint about it failing to move her to suitable alternative accommodation after accepting she was homeless, despite her former abusive partner knowing she remained there. It failed to move her and her large family to suitable accommodation, plan for the possibility of larger families needing larger properties, failed to show it explored the private rental sector, and failed to provide her with the help initially offered. The Council agreed to send her a written apology, pay £3,750 for the distress caused, make £250 monthly payments up to six months until she is suitably rehoused, and explore options for finding her accommodation. It also agreed to find and offer her a suitable property, review how it can make provision for larger families in the future, as well as review/create a procurement policy to increase the supply of larger properties.

Harlow District Council (25 001 992)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 18-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his homelessness application as there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 016 564)

Report Upheld Homelessness 14-Aug-2025

Summary: Mr Y complained on behalf of Ms X about the Council’s handling of her homeless application after she received notice to leave a private tenancy. Particularly, that the Council told Ms X to stay in the property until the court issued a bailiff warrant. Mr Y says Ms X experienced avoidable financial loss and distress.

North Somerset Council (24 019 661)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 13-Aug-2025

Summary: Mr D complained the Council placed him in unsuitable accommodation after he applied for homelessness assistance. I have not found any evidence of fault by the Council.