KING'S BENCH DIVISION
ADMINISTRATIVE COURT
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL |
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B e f o r e :
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THE KING (on the application of MR COMTE LEAF SAINT SEPULCHRE) |
Claimant |
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THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON & CHELSEA |
Defendant |
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Andrew Lane (instructed by Bi-Borough Legal Services) for the Defendant
Hearing date: 27 July 2023
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Crown Copyright ©
Kirsty Brimelow KC (sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court)
Introduction:
Factual Background
Section 184 Housing Act 1996 Decision
The Impugned Decision
a. "It is asserted that Mr. Saint Sepulchre has been attacked by his neighbours and that the property is unsafe for him to return to. Relevant enquiries were made to the landlord who advised that there were no reports or concerns raised in relation to Mr. Saint Sepulchre's safety that would lead them to believe that he was unable to reside [at the address]" (the Decision).
b. "I have also considered that Mr. Saint Sepulchre has previously approached this Authority in 2020, when he also claimed he could not return to his home in Cornwall due to safety issues, which were not confirmed." (the Decision).
c. In deciding whether the original decision was finely balanced, "in the absence of any compelling evidence that would support your decision that our decision was flawed, I am satisfied that the evidence clearly supported our decision." (the Decision).
d. Careful consideration was given to Mr. Saint Sepulchre's physical and mental health issues. Having support needs and being linked to a local social worker could not "be considered an exceptional circumstance" and this support can be provided in Cornwall. (the Decision)
e. There is no disagreement that Mr. Saint Sepulchre is a vulnerable person. (the Review Letter).
f. Scarcity of housing and cost of temporary housing and need to consider responsibility to other homeless households is considered (the Decision and the Review Letter).
Legal Framework
"If the local housing authority have reason to believe that an applicant may be homeless, eligible for assistance and have a priority need, they must secure that accommodation is available for the applicant's occupation."
"Otherwise, the duty under this section comes to an end in accordance with subsections (1ZA) to (1A), regardless of any review requested by the applicant under section 202. But the authority may secure that accommodation is available for the applicant's occupation pending a decision on review."
"The important question is whether, in applying that phrase, it is apparent that the officers of the respondent Council have either failed to take into account material considerations, have taken into account immaterial considerations or have otherwise displayed irrationality. The need that I identify as the underlying requirement of the exercise of this discretion is to keep, on the one hand, well in mind the objective of fairness between those who are homeless in circumstances where the local housing authority has in its first decision decided that there is no duty to the particular applicant and, on the other hand, to give proper consideration to the possibility that the applicant may be right, and that to deprive him or her of accommodation could result in a denial of an entitlement."
"In carrying out that balancing exercise, it is clear that there are certain matters which will always require consideration.
First, the merits of the case itself and the extent to which it can properly be said that the decision was one which was either apparently contrary to the merits of the case or was one which required a very fine balance of judgment which might go either way.
Secondly, it requires consideration of whether there is any new material, information or argument put before the local housing authority which could have a real effect upon the decision under review.
Finally, it requires consideration of the personal circumstances of the applicant and the consequences to him or her of an adverse decision on the exercise of discretion. It may well be that in some cases other considerations may prove to be relevant."
"In considering whether to secure accommodation pending review housing authorities will need to balance the objective of maintaining fairness between homeless persons in circumstances where they have decided that no duty is owed to them, against proper consideration of the possibility that the applicant might be right. Housing authorities should consider the following, along with any other relevant factors:
1. the merits of the applicant's case that the original decision was flawed and the extent to which it can properly be said that the decision was one which was either contrary to the apparent merits or was one which involved a very fine balance of judgement;
2. whether any new material, information or argument has been put to them which could alter the original decision; and,
3. the personal circumstances of the applicant and the consequences to them of a decision not to exercise the discretion to accommodate."
The Grounds and Defence
"The reasons need refer only to the main issues in the dispute, not to every material consideration."
Analysis and Decision