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.

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.

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.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (24 015 224)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 05-Aug-2025

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to address damp and mould in Miss X’s temporary accommodation and delay providing alternative accommodation once a review found it was unsuitable. This left Miss X and her baby at risk of harm from damp and mould, which is an injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise, make payments, and act to improve its services.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (24 008 808)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 05-Aug-2025

Summary: Ms X complained there were failings in the way the Council dealt with her homelessness and housing applications causing her distress and financial loss. We found fault by the Council as it delayed reviewing Ms X’s situation in 2023 and 2024 and dealing with Ms X’s homelessness application. The Council has already apologised for the delay and offered a suitable remedy for the injustice caused in this case. So, we have ended our investigation.

Manchester City Council (24 020 463)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 05-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s alleged failure to make a suitable offer of accommodation to Miss X. This is because Miss X has a right of appeal regarding the Council’s decision, and it would be reasonable for her to use it.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (25 002 687)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 05-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s homelessness situation. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons to decide to investigate now. Further, it was reasonable to expect Mr X to exercise his review rights.

Westminster City Council (24 014 031)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 04-Aug-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s actions in relation to her homelessness application between 2021 and 2024, and about terminology it used to describe child sexual abuse. The Council delayed making decisions about Ms X’s homeless application and used inappropriate language to describe child sexual abuse which caused Ms X frustration and distress. The Council had already offered Ms X an appropriate remedy for the frustration she was caused. It will apologise to Ms X for the distress caused by the inappropriate language.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 014 788)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 04-Aug-2025

Summary: Miss X complained that delays by the Council when it was dealing with her homelessness application led to her incurring court costs. There was fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to pay the courts costs to remedy the injustice caused by its delay.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (24 006 779)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 04-Aug-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to take appropriate action when she and her partner presented as homeless in July 2023. We find no fault in the failure to provide interim accommodation in July 2023. The Council decided Ms X was not in priority need until more detailed information was provided in August which prompted it to change its view.