Compensation to homeless family

The Local Government Ombudsman Dr Jane Martin deemed York Council had caused a “serious injustice” after the family-of-four, including two daughters now aged 11 and 12, had to live in a bedroom barely big enough for two single beds. Dr Martin found maladministration causing injustice and the council has agreed to pay £2,000 in compensation to the family and has also launched a review of housing policies. The family moved into the house in 2010 where they remained until this year, but they are now living in a three-bedroom property after a successful application to the council. The council’s assistant director of housing, Steve Waddington, apologised and confirmed property records were wrong which led to the family being offered an overcrowded home. He stressed that measures are now in place to ensure that the same situation does not happen again.