Council that denied man supported housing criticised by Ombudsman

H&F ORDERED TO PAY FOR 'INJUSTICE'

- By BEN LYNCH

A WEST London council has been criticised after suggesting a man may have been eligible for supported housing before concluding he could not afford the accommodation, a result he claimed was reached “without proper explanation”.

The Housing Ombudsman also found Hammersmith and Fulham Council had not prepared a Personal Housing Plan for the individual, named Mr X, describing the error as causing an “injustice”.

A spokesperson for the council said they accept the findings and continue to offer housing and financial support to Mr X.

The Ombudsman's report detailed how Mr X approached the council in November 2023 telling the local authority he had lost his home due to a relationship ending, and so was back with his mother.

This was expected to be short term due to “lack of space and to his mother’s needs”.

Mr X is also reported as saying he had struggled with his mental health and was unable to work for several months.

Hammersmith and Fulham took on Mr X’s case and, several months later, provided him with an indicative calculation of the benefits he could get with supported housing based on his payslips and employment contract.