Example
C applied for a community care grant to set up their tenancy following a period of homelessness to allow them to have a shared care arrangement with their children.
The council declined the application on the basis that C's circumstances did not match any of the qualifying criteria for a grant. They stated that C had been on the housing list for some time they should have budgeted and deemed it was a planned move.
We reviewed the council's file and corresponded with C's representative for more information. They confirmed C had been made homeless four years previously following the death of their father for whom they were a carer. C suffers from mental health difficulties and would be unable to maintain a shared care arrangement with their children if no award was made. We were satisfied C was experiencing pressure more than that of being on a low income and were satisfied the qualifying criteria was met.
Recommendations
- We instructed the council to award a single bed and mattress, a cooker, fridge freezer, crockery, cutlery, cooking pots, flooring for the living room and 3 bedrooms, a washing machine, an armchair and 3 seater sofa as we assessed these items met the high priority criteria.
Feedback for the council
- The guidance does not support the council’s assessment that due to the move being planned, C should have budgeted to meet their needs.
We have asked the organisation to provide us with confirmation that the award was made within one week.