The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has asked Halton Borough Council to apologise and pay monthly reparations to a homeless domestic abuse survivor they failed to help.
In 2021, the man sought assistance from the council, which did not deliver the housing plan required and closed the case due to the claimant’s reported lack of cooperation and insufficient evidence.
The Ombudsman’s investigation found that the local authority did not write to the man to inform him of the outcome of the case or provide an opportunity for him to appeal the decision.
The report also revealed the council created an ‘additional barrier’ when the man requested a referral to a different local authority for homelessness relief.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Ms Amerdeep Somal said: ‘The council’s failure to follow the legislation and guidance for closing a case due to deliberate and unreasonable refusal meant the man was not given the opportunity to re-engage and had his appeal rights taken away.
‘All this means he missed out on the opportunity to secure accommodation and successfully bid on properties.’
Following the investigation, the Ombudsman has recommended that the council issue an apology and pay £700 to amend the distress suffered by the claimant.
The local authority has been asked to re-register the man on the council’s property bidding scheme and make further monthly payments of £150 to compensate for the loss of accommodation he was entitled to.
A Halton Borough Council spokesperson said: ‘Although the council did not agree with all the conclusions reached by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, it has accepted the recommendations and will take the required action.’
