A London borough maintains that it has acted legally after the local government ombudsman accused it of refusing to find temporary accommodation for a pregnant woman.
Hounslow council has rejected the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s suggestion to house the woman in the next property available, instead offering an apology and £3,750 in compensation for the disruption.
The woman filed a complaint to the Ombudsman after Hounslow council took 77 weeks to assess her housing application whilst she was pregnant and without secure living arrangements, leaving her homeless as a result.
Emphasising that their actions did not constitute a breach of housing policy, a spokesperson for the council said: ‘Hounslow Council is committed to supporting residents with housing needs in Hounslow. We work hard to ensure our legal duties are met.’
‘During the period in question Miss X secured her own accommodation outside the Borough. Our priority and responsibility around housing need is for people residing in Hounslow who cannot house themselves.’
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Ms Amerdeep Somal, said: ‘I am disappointed that, by rejecting my recommendation to offer her the next suitable property it has available, the council is failing to fully accept the gravity its incorrect advice and practice has had on this woman and her child.’
