The report says some homeless people receive poor services

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has published a report claiming housing allocation policy at some councils does not comply with the law.

The ombudsman, Adam Peat, told BBC Wales' Politics Show there was "no excuse" for non-compliance.

The Welsh Local Government Association said councils have improved standards.

'Number of complaints'

The Public Services Ombudsman considers complaints about matters such as housing, planning, education, social services and health services.

His report says that some councils across Wales were yet to adopt housing allocations policies which fully complied with the law - in particular the Homelessness Act 2002.

Councils should review as a matter of urgency the lawfulness of the authority's existing housing allocation policy Ombudsman's report

The ombudsman called upon Welsh councils to review their housing allocations and homelessness policies.

The report said: "A number of complaints received by my office concerning housing allocations and homelessness issues have revealed a widespread problem with how such applications are dealt with.

"A significant number of the 22 Welsh local authorities have failed to introduce housing allocation and homelessness policies and procedures that implement in practice the relevant legislative requirements."

'Lamentable' procedures

Mr Peat's report lists examples of bad practise in how homeless people are treated.

In one case, a single mother lived with her four children in a damp one-roomed caravan for two years.

The report said: "Despite support and help from health professionals, her MP and an advice agency (Shelter Cymru), other families had been housed ahead of her."

It added that the council involved's procedures were "lamentable" and "unlawful".

'Improve standards'

The report concludes: "It appears from my investigations that many Welsh county and county borough councils may have failed to implement housing allocation policies that comply with the relevant legislative requirements.

"To help ensure that such shortcomings do not arise in future councils should...review as a matter of urgency the lawfulness of the authority's existing housing allocation policy and procedures."

The ombudsman added that since he had commenced work on the report, some councils had "already taken significant steps to improve standards of practice".

The Welsh Local Government Association said it welcomed the report's advice and that the authorities identified in it have made significant steps to improve standards.