Brentwood Council apologizes for mishandling 216 homelessness cases

Brentwood Council has apologized for dismissing 216 cases of potentially homeless individuals, including victims of domestic abuse. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman criticized the council for imposing unnecessary barriers and failing to properly assess cases. The council closed about two-thirds of the cases at an early stage, often requiring excessive documentation. This approach led to vulnerable individuals being overlooked, as many were not given proper consideration for their circumstances. In response to the findings, Brentwood Council has reviewed its homelessness services and committed to improving its processes. The chief executive acknowledged past failings and stated that measures have been implemented to better assist those at risk of homelessness.