Kingston upon Hull City Council has agreed to review its practices when dealing with homelessness applications following an investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO).

A woman had approached the council for help when she became homeless, and was offered a property which she refused as she felt it was unsuitable.

The council wrote to the woman explaining that by rejecting the property, she would be placed in a lower priority banding for properties and the council closed her homelessness application.

The investigation found that the council was not at fault for its explanation of what would happen to the woman should she reject the offer. But it did find the council at fault for failing to give the woman the reasons for the decision, and for failing to tell the woman that she had the right to appeal in the county court on a point of law.

Dr Jane Martin, Local Government Ombudsman, said:

“It is particularly important that councils follow correct procedures when vulnerable groups, like those threatened with homelessness, are involved.

“This isn’t the only instance where we’ve highlighted the wider learning that councils can make from complaints in this area. Our ‘No Place Like Home’ report, which was published in October, highlighted the stories of young people and families who were being failed by councils’ over-use of temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.”

The council has agreed to provide the woman with a new decision on her homelessness review, giving her details of how she can appeal the decision to the county court, apologise and pay her £200 to recognise the injustice caused by its failings.

It has also agreed to check its records and identified three other people similarly affected by the error. It will issue them with fresh decision letters advising them of their rights. The council has also agreed to carry out a full review of its procedures and has reviewed its standard template letters.

The council has since concluded that its initial offer of accommodation was not suitable and it will therefore make the woman a fresh offer of suitable accommodation.

Article date: 30 January 2014