Summary
Ms B complained that the Council, in respect of her housing application, had failed to find her suitable alternative temporary accommodation despite concluding in July 2023 that her current accommodation was unsuitable and had failed to award her Band 1 priority on the housing register. This has caused Ms B significant distress and inconvenience living in unsuitable accommodation.
Finding
Fault found causing injustice and recommendations made.
Recommendations
The Council must consider the report and confirm within three months the action it has taken or proposes to take. The Council should consider the report at its full Council, Cabinet or other appropriately delegated committee of elected members and we will require evidence of this. (Local Government Act 1974, section 31(2), as amended) To recognise the injustice caused to Ms B, we recommend that within three months of the date of this report, the Council: apologises to Ms B in line with our guidance on remedies which sets out our expectations for how organisations should apologise effectively to remedy injustice; pays her £3,600 (18 months at £200 a month in line with our guidance on remedies ); and reviews its procurement procedure and produces an action plan with steps to increase the supply of different types of temporary accommodation suitable for those with disabilities and other complex needs.
Ombudsman satisfied with Council's response: 5 March 2025.