We represented SA, a mother who entered the UK with her three children to join her disabled son. SA only spoke Arabic and suffered with mobility issues. Her children were vulnerable due to sight impairments, and the family faced significant challenges navigating the housing system.
SA made a homeless application and the council placed them in temporary accommodation in Kent under the Relief Duty.
Initial housing offer
The Kent accommodation was close to SA's disabled son. However, the council later made an offer of private rented sector accommodation in the North of England in discharge of the duty.
An immigration charity referred SA to GT Stewart Solicitors. We advised SA to reject the offer, as it failed to meet the family's needs. We then requested a s.202 review of both SA’s Personalised Housing Plan and the suitability of the offer itself.
Legal action and advocacy
We obtained an Occupational Therapist’s report, collected evidence, helped in getting housing benefit in payment and made representations regarding the unsuitability of the private rented sector offer and the family's housing needs. The council accepted the full housing duty under s.193 Housing Act 1996.
SA later informed us that the Kent accommodation was also unsuitable. We, therefore, requested a further suitability review. The council found that the property was unsuitable as it did not meet the family’s needs.
The council have now offered the family in-borough accommodation.
SA was represented by Claire Wiles of the Housing Team.
