'No one listened': Havering Council to pay 7,000 to homeless mother left in unsafe housing

"Havering Council has been ordered to pay 7,100 to a homeless mother, known as Miss X, after leaving her and her children in unsafe accommodation for nearly two years. The Housing Ombudsman found repeated failings, including poor communication, lack of support, and missed opportunities to move the family despite known safeguarding risks. The payout includes 6,300 for time spent in unsuitable housing and 300 a month until she is rehoused, as the council faces mounting financial pressure."

"Havering Council has agreed to pay more than 7,000 to a homeless mother after her family was left to live in unsafe housing. She complained to the Housing Ombudsman earlier this year after struggling alone through a period of prolonged uncertainty and distress. According to the arbitrator's report, the mother identified only as Miss X' had been homeless since 2016 and was previously living in temporary accommodation in a different, unnamed London borough."

"In March 2023, Havering Council agreed it would house the family within its borough, after a leaking wet room and rotted bathroom left her temporary home unsafe. That same month, the council placed Miss X's children on a child protection plan due to concerns about their welfare. One of the requirements was for the children to be housed somewhere safe and stable."

"She was put on Havering's housing register in April 2023, but heard nothing back once she was discharged from the other council's responsibility in May. Miss X is still stuck in the same home today. She repeatedly complained to the council about the conditions and its lack of action in securing her new accommodation. In September 2023, a social worker wrote to the council's housing department detailing the extensive disrepair and asking them for support."

Miss X, homeless since 2016, remained in unsafe temporary accommodation after being placed with Havering in March 2023 following severe disrepair. The council agreed to house the family locally while the children were placed on a child protection plan requiring safe, stable housing. Miss X was added to the housing register in April 2023 but received no follow-up after the previous borough discharged responsibility in May. Repeated complaints and a social worker's September 2023 letter detailing extensive disrepair prompted an ombudsman investigation that found poor communication, lack of support, and missed opportunities to rehouse the family. The council must pay 6,300 for unsuitable housing plus 300 monthly until rehousing, totaling over 7,100.

Read at www.standard.co.uk