Delayed response to pensioner with leaky roof

Public housing resident Ethel, who was 92 yearsold and legally blind, was struggling to keep upwith maintaining her home.

Her roof had been leaking for some time. TheDepartment of Families, Fairness and Housinghad tried to repair the roof more than once,but Ethel would still find her floors wet after asudden downpour.

Ethel’s son reached out to the Ombudsmanfor assistance, explaining that the issue hadremained unresolved for six months.

Following our involvement, Ethel received anapology from the Department. The Departmentalso planned additional works on Ethel’s homeincluding replacing downpipes and spoutingin the affected area, completing the ceilingrepairs, and repainting Ethel’s dining area.