Housing

Homelessness - housing assistance rightly granted on basis of priority need - subsequent change in applicant's circumstances not entitling council to withhold further assistanceR v Brent London Borough Council, ex p.

Sadiq:QBD (Moses J):29 June 2000

The applicant applied to the council for, and was granted, housing assistance for himself and his son on the basis that they had a priority need.

The council did not secure accommodation for the applicant.

The son was later ordered to reside with his mother and the council was informed of that change in circumstances.The council reconsidered its earlier decision and informed the applicant that it was unable to provide him with further assistance with his housing because he did not have a priority need.

The applicant sought judicial review of the council's decision.David Carter (instructed by Pemila & Nathan, Southall) for the applicant.

Hilton Harrop-Griffiths (instructed by the Solicitor to the Council, Brent London Borough Council, Wembley) for the council.

Held, granting the application, since the change in circumstances had occurred after a lawful decision had been made, that remained as a lawful decision; that once a valid decision had been made by the local housing authority it had no power to reconsider it; that under s.193(6) of the Housing Act 1996 a local authority did not cease to be under a duty to accommodate because an applicant ceased to have a priority need; and that, accordingly, the council was under a duty to provide the applicant with housing assistance.