Leicester City Council has rejected a recommendation from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after a homeless family was housed in B&B accommodation for nearly 10 months—a stay the Ombudsman deemed far too long.
The family, placed in separate rooms due to their size in August 2023, only moved into suitable accommodation in July 2024.
The investigation found the council had delayed reviewing their Personalised Housing Plan, failed to inform them of appeal rights, and broke housing law by not moving them into self-contained accommodation within six weeks.
While the Ombudsman recommended a financial remedy of £500 for distress and £3,525 for the undue period in unsuitable B&B housing, the council has refused to pay.
The council has apologized but must now formally consider the report in a full council meeting or equivalent, and respond.
It is the second time this year the council has taken the rare step of refusing to accept one of the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
