Shropshire Council has been criticised after a man was left homeless for too long because the council did not understand its responsibilities towards him.
The man approached the council when he became homeless in the autumn of 2021, and he was provided with interim accommodation.
However, he subsequently moved out because the low ceilings in the property meant he was unable to stand properly, which resulted in pain. He moved into his car and then a garage.
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigated the man’s case after he had been through the council’s complaints process.
The investigation found the council did not review the suitability of the interim accommodation when the man complained. This meant the man missed out on a chance to have been offered an alternative. Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: ‘This case has highlighted a concerning lack of understanding at Shropshire Council of its statutory duties towards homeless people in the county.
‘Where a council has a duty to provide accommodation it should make a written offer, specifying an actual place of accommodation. Sending a letter which simply accepts it owes a duty is not enough – it should then go on to make an offer of accommodation.’
Responding to the report, the council said it accepted the Ombudsman’s findings.
‘We are disappointed that despite trying to work with the individual to address their concerns we were unable to come to a resolution. We will be reviewing our processes in light of the Ombudsman’s comments and will ensure all staff undertake refresher training,’ a spokesperson said.
