A man was forced to sleep in his car for more than a year after Redbridge Council failed to find him new housing.
He ended up on the streets in June 2023 and lived in his car until November 2024, during which time he was attacked on several occasions.
Following a review by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Redbridge Council was ordered to pay him a total of £1,900 in compensation.
A spokesperson for the council apologised for the failure, saying: “We accept the ombudsman’s findings and apologise for the distress caused.
“This case does not reflect the standards we strive for, and we are taking steps to ensure improvements are made.”
The man, identified in the ombudsman’s report only as Mr X, first approached the town hall in June when he was briefly staying with a friend after being evicted.
It wasn’t until September that the council told him it owed him a “relief duty,” meaning it would help secure him accommodation, but he was not “in priority need” and would need to sort his own affairs.
He disputed the officers’ decision and provided the council with further medical information the following January but did not hear back until March.
However, the council’s statutory duty to find him accommodation ended in May, pending an appeal. During that month, Mr X was attacked twice in three weeks.
He did not report these incidents to the police but his doctor reported seeing bruising and a black eye.
He formally complained to the council in October, arguing he would not have been sleeping rough nor would he have been attacked if the council had acknowledged he was vulnerable and found him housing.
Following a review in November, he was deemed vulnerable and was offered accommodation.
Though he accepted the accommodation, Mr X was not happy with the council’s initial compensation offer of £150 for being left homeless – the minimum amount that can be offered. The ombudsman ruled he was owed £1,400.
Redbridge is struggling, like many London boroughs, with a shortage of homes.
The spokesperson for the town hall said: “Redbridge is facing significant housing pressures, with thousands of households on our waiting list and in temporary accommodation.
“Despite these challenges, we are working hard to reduce delays, improve support, and bring more homes into use. Our focus remains on helping residents access safe, stable housing as quickly and fairly as possible.”
