Mark Whitehead 01 August 2024

Lewisham apologises over family placed in poor accommodation

Lewisham apologises over family placed in poor accommodation image
Image: Nigel J. Harris/shutterstock.com

Lewisham Council has apologised for placing a family in such poor accommodation that a child had to go to hospital.

The London borough has agreed to pay her more than £14,000 after the local government ombudsman ruled it had handled the mother's case badly.

The ombudsman said the council had failed to properly consider the mother's priority on its housing register for permanent social housing despite the fact that she was disabled and pregnant at the time.

It failed to properly consider her human rights or its duties to her under The Equality Act, the ombudsman said, and did not consider or respond to her concerns about accommodation being close to a perpetrator of domestic abuse towards her.

The family lived in unsuitable accommodation for two years and faced continued instability, with frequent short term moves between multiple bed and breakfasts, often with no notice.

A council spokesman said: 'We have accepted the ombudsman’s recommendations in this case and apologise unreservedly to the resident and her family.

'We expect our housing, whether managed directly by us or leased from the private sector, to be properly maintained, and we are sorry this was not the experience of this family.'

Designing for cohesion image

Designing for cohesion

Tom Fairey, Development Director at Alliance Leisure, discusses how community spaces can strengthen local connections.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Apprentice - Business & Administration

Essex County Council
Up to £15435.00 per annum
Apprentice - Business & AdministrationFixed Term, Full Time£15,435 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Street Lighting Project Engineer

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum
Office base is the Leeming Bar Street Lighting Depot. Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

LGV Driver

North Yorkshire Council
£31,537-£34,434 per annum pro rata
Would you like a rewarding role that allows you to work outside in some of the most scenic places in the country? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Environmental Plant Vehicle Operator

North Yorkshire Council
£27,254- £29,064 per annum
Working in small crews, you will be collecting waste from the local area using small collection vehicles. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£13.28 - £13.28 per hour
As part of our catering team, you will be performing a variety of tasks to help prepare tasty, nutritious meals Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner