Ombudsman criticises Lambeth Council after man ends up homeless (From Streatham Guardian)
Contact us: Got a photo? Text SLPICS to 80360, click to upload your story or call
020 8722 6333
Ombudsman criticises Lambeth Council after man ends up homeless
5:20pm Friday 21st August 2009 in News
A vulnerable haemophiliac ended up homeless because Lambeth Council mishandled his housing application, according to a critical report from a local government watchdog.
The Local Government Ombudsman has slammed Lambeth’s treatment of David Henry, who first approached the council for housing assistance in January 2007.
Ombudsman Jerry White took up the case after Mr Henry’s father complained to him about the way his son’s homelessness assessment, medical assessment and housing register application were processed.
The family initially did not want to accept a one-bedroom flat, saying Mr Henry needed an additional bedroom for a carer, which led to the council putting him in unsuitable temporary accommodation without support.
His father said that had it been clear his son would have to accept one-bedroom accommodation he would have been a council tenant rather than homeless.
Mr White has now found the local authority’s treatment of the young man was “maladministration causing injustice”, saying it had meant the young man was deprived of the opportunity to be housed in permanent accommodation.
The ombudsman ordered Lambeth to house Mr Henry in one bedroom social housing, write off most of the rent arrears he incurred while not housed by the council, and pay him £2,000 in recognition of the injustice he experienced.
A Lambeth Council spokesman, said: “We are absolutely committed to providing the best possible support to our young people, which is why we take this report extremely seriously.
“We will carefully consider the findings of the ombudsman’s report.”
