Ombudsman urges councils to address issues faced by disabled people when accessing homelessness support services

The LGSCO’s guide, Homelessness decisions for Disabled people, looks at how councils can improve disabled people’s experiences and avoid adding to the injustice caused by the shortage of suitable housing.

Among the cases included in the publication is one concerning a resident who required regular hospital treatment for a medical condition which left him particularly vulnerable to infection.

Despite his needs, and the promise of an urgent move to suitable accommodation, the resident and his family spent 19 months in unsuitable accommodation before moving to a new home.

The report offers key learning points to address cases such as these, including:

• assessing need thoroughly and accurately
• completing reviews on time and telling people about their appeal rights
• considering steps to make accommodation more suitable for the disabled person, including aids and adaptations
• communicating effectively with applicants and other councils

It covers common issues and complaints such as housing shortages and service failure, assessment of need, suitability reviews, aids and adaptations in interim and temporary accommodation, and collaborating and communicating.

It also sets out councils’ duties on homelessness.

Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said: “We know there is a national shortage of housing available for people facing homelessness, and an even greater dearth of properties that are either adapted or suitable for adapting for disabled people.

“While many of these issues cannot be fixed by individual councils alone, there are steps councils can take to improve their services for disabled people, as recommended in my guide.

“I hope council officers at every level will read the guide and take on board the learning it contains to ensure their services are as fit for purpose as they can be in this challenging environment.”

Last month the Ombudsman published guidance on disabled facilities grants.