The local government ombudsman has criticised Manchester City Council for placing the family of three in a two-bed flat
A watchdog has slammed Manchester council for providing an 'unsuitable and unsafe' flat to a homeless family. The family of three, including a disabled boy with 'complex' needs, was placed in an 'unsuitable' two-bed flat by council officials.
After she moved in with her family, the woman complained to the ombudsman in February this year. Officials later agreed the accommodation was unsuitable but they only offered an alternative in August, the ombudsman's report reveals. The council's own officials carried out a medical assessment in September 2022 and agreed the family required a property with a third bedroom. Two months later, and still in the two-bed flat, the woman asked for a review as she regarded the flat as unsuitable. The council completed its review in January 2023 and agreed again the property was not suitable.
The report concluded: "Ms B lived in an unsafe and unsuitable environment for 18 months longer than she should have. Her son was constantly at risk of injury from the stairs, and she could not get a good night’s sleep as she had to share a room with her son. This is a significant injustice to Ms B and her children."
"I am pleased the council has latterly accepted my findings and has now agreed to put in place the recommendations I have made." "This effort is taking place in a challenging national context, with high numbers of people with complex needs presenting as homelessness, a strained housing market and a scarcity of suitable available accommodation after 14 years of austerity, benefit changes and other policies which had stoked the issue under the previous government.
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