Less investigations taking place about homeless families in B&B accommodation
- 20 Mar
Fewer complaints are being investigated by the Local Government Ombudsman about homeless families living in bed and breakfast accommodation.
In 2014 the level of homelessness complaints investigated in detail by the LGO dropped by slightly more than a quarter from 190 in 2013 to 138 in 2014. The number of upheld complaints dropped by from 61 to 52 over the same period, reports Inside Housing.
Recent government statistics show that the total number of homeless families placed in B&B style accommodation at the end of September 2014 stood at 4,700 which was down from a peak of over 13,000 in 1991.
However despite the drop in investigations the LGO have warned that the issue ‘has not disappeared.'
A spokesperson said that "while it is apparent that individual councils nationally have been taking steps to deal with this difficult issue, the LGO is still seeing cases where authorities make errors in their handling of homelessness applications".
Dr Jane Martin, the Local Government Ombudsman, said: ‘I am pleased to see our investigations are showing fewer concerns about the way councils are responding to the issue of homelessness. However, today's case demonstrates that some families are still not being treated in accordance with the law."
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