A Croydon resident has won the right to challenge the local council in court over its decision to close a walk-in service for people seeking homelessness support.
A High Court judge found minimal evidence that Croydon Council had put adequate measures in place for those unable to book appointments online, as the decision now awaits judicial review.
The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), representing the claimant, argues that Croydon’s decision to close Access Croydon impacts people in need of emergency housing support and believes the case could have “significant implications across London and potentially nationwide”.
Last year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) highlighted the plight of residents forced to queue outside the council’s Bernard Weatherill House headquarters for housing appointments. A charity support officer described the situation as "chaotic" and "dehumanising" for families awaiting essential services.
At the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday, District Judge (DJ) Alan Bates granted permission for the claimant to challenge Croydon’s decision to close its Mint Walk homelessness service in March 2025. The decision was made by the council’s then chief executive, Katherine Kerswell, in a meeting attended by Mayor Jason Perry.
The PILC launched the claimant’s High Court challenge last year, arguing that the council breached its legal duty to homeless people by closing its walk-in service and unfairly disadvantaged digitally excluded residents by moving applications online. It also argued that the decision was made behind closed doors, without a written record, in breach of local authority regulations and Croydon’s own constitution.
The applicant’s counsel, Tom Hickman KC, told the court how the claimant first attempted to engage with Croydon’s homelessness services after receiving a Section 21 eviction notice last year.
He argued that the claimant’s learning disabilities and illiteracy meant he was unable to access the alternative arrangements the council had put in place, namely an online form that residents could use to book housing advice appointments.
The court heard that the council offers support for people who are “digitally excluded” by directing residents to its libraries, where they can use computers. They can also seek support from staff there and speak to advice specialists at the council’s central library, just a short walk from Access Croydon.
However, DJ Bates criticised the lack of detail provided about these alternative measures, telling the court: “They say this individual would be assisted by council officers, but it is not said who these officers will be or how they will be accessed.”
He also said it was not clear whether library staff had been given training that “specifically enables them to provide assistance to people seeking homelessness assistance”.
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Furthermore, the council’s reliance on telephone appointments was also questioned, with DJ Bates acknowledging that a high percentage of calls go unanswered while other residents are left waiting “hours” on hold.
Counsel for the local authority reminded the court that the applicant was never actually homeless and argued the judicial review was academic and too narrow to apply to people in other situations across Croydon. However, DJ Bates disagreed, saying the continued closure was still affecting residents and had a potential to affect others in a similar situation.
At the time, Croydon described the closure of the walk-in homelessness service as “a change in how the council supports people at its front door” and acknowledged that the decision was driven by high demand and financial pressures.
Announcing the closure, Mayor Perry said: “The current walk-in service means that, at this time of extreme demand, too often residents are waiting too long to get the help that they need.”
He added: “With an appointments system we can triage to make sure we are prioritising appropriately. And knowing exactly who is coming into council buildings, and when, helps to run things as efficiently as possible whilst keeping everyone safe.”
Croydon’s decision to close its walk-in service is part of a wider trend across London. A recent investigation by King’s College London found that only three of London’s 33 local authorities continue to offer face-to-face drop-in services for people experiencing homelessness.
Commenting on the resident’s case, Alexandra Goldenberg of the PILC said: “In the middle of a housing crisis, Croydon Council has closed their walk-in services. These barriers risk creating discriminatory access to homelessness services, leaving many vulnerable people unable to obtain the support to which they so desperately need and are legally entitled.”
Permission for a judicial review into the legality of the closure was granted on four of the five grounds brought by the claimant. Croydon now has until September 7 to submit detailed grounds of defence, along with any further evidence it wishes to rely on. The claimant will then have until September 21 to respond.
A date for the judicial review hearing has not yet been set.