"A south London mother has been awarded more than 9,400 after her seriously ill child was forced to live in damp and mouldy housing far from their hospital because the council placed them in unsuitable accommodation outside the borough. The woman's youngest child was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and faced two years of hospital treatment in Lewisham. The council's handling of the family's complaint has also been criticised."
"The Ombudsman said the council left the family to live in private accommodation until a week before bailiffs evicted them, meaning it had little time to find the family suitable accommodation. The family faced court bills of 46.03 a day, because the council's policy stated it would not act until the bailiffs turned up with a warrant. The council said it would deem the family intentionally homeless if they moved out before this time and would have no right to help."
"Lewisham Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it acknowledged it fell short of the service expected of it and had apologised to the family. The council has agreed to pay the family 9,440.24 towards avoidable rent arrears and legal costs. This includes 750 in compensation for the woman's avoidable distress and uncertainty, and her child will also receive 1,000."
A south London mother received 9,440.24 after a seriously ill child was placed in damp, mouldy out-of-borough housing that disrupted hospital-based care. The child faced two years of hospital treatment in Lewisham, and Lewisham Council took 13 months to provide interim accommodation after a Section 21 eviction notice. The council left the family in private accommodation until a week before bailiffs arrived, triggering court bills of 46.03 per day under its policy. When the council acted, only unsuitable, damp accommodation was available, preventing nurses' weekly visits and forcing risky hospital travel. The council apologised and paid compensation.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]