Courts / Waterford / Report

Homeless Afghan man brings High Court challenge over accommodation

Date
2023-11-27
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Waterford
County
Waterford

Summary

A homeless Afghan man has brought a High Court challenge against Waterford City and County Council, alleging unlawful treatment under the 1988 Housing Act. The applicant, who fled Afghanistan in 2019 and was granted asylum in 2022, claims he was wrongly deemed to have refused accommodation because an offer was not explained in his native language due to his limited English. He alleges the council only provides four emergency beds for single men, forcing him to sleep in his car when unavailable, and that the emergency accommodation consists of unheated rooms with pull-out beds or couches available only after 9pm. The man seeks orders compelling the council to provide suitable accommodation and to lawfully reconsider his needs. He further seeks declarations that the council's alleged policy regarding emergency beds is unlawful and that his Constitutional and ECHR rights are not being vindicated. The matter came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland on Monday. On an ex-parte basis, the judge granted the man permission to bring his judicial review challenge. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court next month.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless Afghan man brings High Court challenge over accommodation. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: A homeless Afghan man who says he did not take up an offer of accommodation because his English is poor and it was never explained to him in his native language has brought a High Court challenge aimed at compelling Waterford City and County Council provide him with suitable accommodation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Homeless Afghan

Applicant

Housing Act

Applicant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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