Eastbourne Borough Council (24 017 286)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 25-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council considered him to be ineligible to join the housing register. This is because the complaint is late.

Wokingham Borough Council (24 015 715)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s homelessness. Part of the complaint is late without good enough reason to investigate it now. It is reasonable to expect Mr X to take court action on other parts of the complaint.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (24 002 897)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about failings and errors in the way the Council considered his homelessness application. We found the Council’s failings and delays in assessing Mr X’s homelessness application and in providing appropriate support and accommodation are fault. As were the delay and errors in the Council’s stage two response to Mr X’s complaint. These faults caused Mr X unnecessary uncertainty, distress and anxiety. They also delayed his right to request a review. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mr X.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 004 322)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: Mrs D complained the Council placed her family in unsuitable temporary accommodation. We found fault causing distress and financial loss. The Council has agreed to make a payment to Mrs D to remedy this.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 009 745)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We have completed our investigation. There was fault by the Council. The Council left Mrs X and her child in unsuitable accommodation for five months. It failed to properly respond to her complaint and to pay due regard to article 8 of her human rights. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mrs X. It will also review its approach to unsuitable temporary accommodation and provide its staff with training.

Brighton & Hove City Council (24 012 039)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to end its main housing duty. This is because Ms X could have challenged the Council’s decision here with the Courts, and it would have been reasonable for her to have done so. Additionally, we will not investigate the Council’s safeguarding responses in relation to Ms X, because it is unlikely we would find fault.

Kingston Upon Hull City Council (24 016 331)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaints about actions taken by the Council in 2017 and 2018 relating to the removal of her children and her eviction for rent arrears. These complaints are both outside our jurisdiction and in any case are late. We will also not investigate the Council’s decision in or around 2022 that Ms X was disqualified from joining its housing register because of her eviction and the outstanding rent she still owes. The complaint is late and I can see no good reason to exercise discretion and investigate now.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (24 016 552)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled Ms X’s two homeless applications. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

London Borough of Hounslow (24 009 301)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 21-Feb-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to provide him with interim accommodation. We find the Council was at fault for its failure to offer Mr X interim accommodation while it was making enquiries as to whether he was in priority need. This means Mr X was deprived of accommodation he was entitled to. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to apologise to Mr X and pay him £300 to reflect the time he was sofa surfing.

Leeds City Council (24 013 529)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the suitability of accommodation provided to Miss X and the Council’s actions during this matter. This is because it is unlikely we would find enough evidence of fault to justify investigating and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.