Ratio Decidendi
When a local authority places a homeless household in accommodation outside its district, it must explain its decision-making process and the efforts made to secure accommodation within or as close to the district as possible.
Fapte
A homeless mother with children was placed in temporary accommodation far from Westminster. She challenged the decision, arguing inadequate consideration of her needs to remain in the borough.
Rezumatul hotărârii
The Supreme Court held that the local authority must have a policy for procuring sufficient accommodation in its district and must explain its decision when offering out-of-borough accommodation, taking into account the statutory requirements.
Citate cheie
"The authority should explain the efforts made to secure accommodation within the borough and why it was not possible."
— Lady Hale
Tratament ulterior
Followed in subsequent out-of-borough placement cases under the homelessness legislation.