The young boy died from the effects of poisoning from mould in his home.
After a narrative conclusion was recorded at Rochdale coroner’s court, lawyers for Awaab’s parents read a statement in which they accused the social housing provider, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), of doing nothing over a number of years to treat the mould problem that killed their son.
“We cannot tell you how many health professionals we have cried in front of and Rochdale borough housing staff we have pleaded to expressing concern … We shouted out as loudly as we could,” they said.
They accused RBH of not caring and said they had no doubt they were treated that way “because we are not from this country and less aware of how the systems in the UK work.
For those who aren't aware, many of the so called housing associations were formed in the noughties by local authorities selling off their housing stock to the staff who originally were responsible for running the housing departments. Because of the rules for taking staff the various jobs had to be advertised. I had an interview for one job in Suffolk Coastal and it was obvious from the start that they were just going through the motions.
Those running these associations are in it for the profits I think and they are further candidates for control being handed back to the local authorities.
Whitewavemark2
The Tories voted against a bill that called for housing to be fit for human habitation.
Their actions led to this.
Do supposedly intelligence councils actually need a bill advising them that housing has to be fit for human habitation. If they do then probably they are not fit for purpose either
others who worked in housing, social work, substance misuse teams, education, criminal justice and health after the Blair government was elected will remember the guidance in Working Together and Every Child Matters.
Our l.a. Ran multi agency training courses on supporting families and safeguarding. It wasn’t perfect but there was the expectation that if for example, another agency contacted a housing association, voluntary or council, about issues impacting on children, joined up working would follow. That approach has disappeared. It needs to rereinstated.
rosie1959
Whitewavemark2
The Tories voted against a bill that called for housing to be fit for human habitation.
Their actions led to this.Do supposedly intelligence councils actually need a bill advising them that housing has to be fit for human habitation. If they do then probably they are not fit for purpose either
They have no recourse to law to enforce this.
A baby died.
My only view is perhaps before anyone is allowed to rent out properties they should be deemed fit for purpose.
In recent years council and Housing Association rents have risen steeply, with some Housing Association tenants paying as much as private rental tenants. This combined with a lack of standards, is appalling. There should be housing standards for ALL landlords.
The conservatives should hang their heads in shame and address this.
Whitewavemark2
rosie1959
Whitewavemark2
The Tories voted against a bill that called for housing to be fit for human habitation.
Their actions led to this.Do supposedly intelligence councils actually need a bill advising them that housing has to be fit for human habitation. If they do then probably they are not fit for purpose either
They have no recourse to law to enforce this.
Rochdale Council has to take its share of responsibility for this tragedy, it happened on its watch.
Whitewavemark2
The Tories voted against a bill that called for housing to be fit for human habitation.
Their actions led to this.
Well, they would, wouldn't they!!! The party of Landlords and profiteer in everything!!!!
About 30 years ago I had a flat (60s) - I never had a problem with mould while I lived there. Later on it was rented to a young mother and her baby. She would dry the laundry directly on the radiators - water was running down the windows and she was complaining about mould in the flat.
I tried to explain to her about ventilation, but she still insisted on calling out a damp-proofing company to do a survey. They concluded that it was poor ventilation.
Hopefully, this tragic case will increase awareness about ventilation, which will help people stay healthier, and prevent it happening again.
Whitewavemark2
rosie1959
Whitewavemark2
The Tories voted against a bill that called for housing to be fit for human habitation.
Their actions led to this.Do supposedly intelligence councils actually need a bill advising them that housing has to be fit for human habitation. If they do then probably they are not fit for purpose either
They have no recourse to law to enforce this.
Surely the 2018 act fitness for human habitation covers this
It seems to be standard practice to blame tenants.
That is certainly the case with my local authority.
When our flats started to show signs of mould, it was because we had not ventilated properly.
Except it wasn't.
It was due to the gaping great holes in the roof, which allowed animals to nest (and drown in the uncovered tanks)
I contacted the water company, and our council was given two weeks to start rectifying five issues, or court proceedings would be started against them.
Sadly, issues like this will become more common over the winter due to the cost of energy. People won’t be able to afford to heat homes adequately, and won’t be able to use tumble dryers so damp washing will be dried inside. People will be reluctant to open windows, letting out what little heat they have. Such conditions are particularly dangerous for the vulnerable - very young; elderly; disabled. Sadly it’s perfect storm.
The Buck Stops with the CEO. They are paid 6 figure salaries to ensure the housing stock is fit for purpose and the tenants are not suffering through inadequate housing or poor environments.
They should have systems in place, through robust monitoring and reporting, involving all department under their remit, including building maintenance and liaising, with the Chief officers of Social Services and Education.
Systems should be in place for lower levels of management to regularly report to their line managers, so that failings can be dealt with appropriately.
Clearly none of this happened, so responsibility lies at the top, for not overseeing the structure.
Exactly that.
That isprecisely what the water company told me.
J52
The Buck Stops with the CEO. They are paid 6 figure salaries to ensure the housing stock is fit for purpose and the tenants are not suffering through inadequate housing or poor environments.
They should have systems in place, through robust monitoring and reporting, involving all department under their remit, including building maintenance and liaising, with the Chief officers of Social Services and Education.
Systems should be in place for lower levels of management to regularly report to their line managers, so that failings can be dealt with appropriately.
Clearly none of this happened, so responsibility lies at the top, for not overseeing the structure.
This wasn't a council property. It's managed by a mutual, which presumably took control from the local authority.
Certainly having housing associations at arm's length from the relevant council is a great factor. Sometimes those arms can be very long. This is a variant on the Grenfell tragedy but how can it be put right if tories continue to blame the doctor, the midwife, the social worker - anyone and everyone ex the root of the problem.
Non profit doesn't mean non accountable! This is a heartbreaking damnation of our values in UK today. In Ve seen many documentary highlighting the disgusting state of social hous in my all over but in the north, the dreadful damp we have forms mould/moss/algae to form everywhere! Even on our car window seals if its parked facing north!! Something I never see in South so we have a particular issue that needs acknowledgment.this poor little more and his family were treated abismally and I was heartened to see Michael Gove (don't actually like him) get genuinely angry on TV summoning the head of housing group to answer for this disgusting issue! Hope he gets named and shamed-and of course SACKED with loss of benefits
In the Telegraph this morning:
“MICHAEL GOVE has said it “beggars belief” that the head of a housing association is still in his job after a two-year-old boy died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
Awaab Ishak’s parents repeatedly complained to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) about the state of their flat, which was described as unfit for human habitation.
But nothing was done to remedy the problem and in December 2020, Awaab, who had suffered from breathing problems, died from respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Mr Gove, the Housing Secretary, described it as an “unacceptable tragedy” and said that he had summoned Gareth Swarbrick, the chief executive of RBH, to his department to explain himself.
He accused the housing association of ignoring the family’s concerns and hiding behind procedure, adding: “It beggars belief that this guy is still in office. He’s coming here in order to explain to me why it was that this tragedy was allowed to happen.” Rochdale coroner’s court heard Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, came to the UK from Sudan in 2016 and was joined by his wife a year later.”
We all know that every rented property should be in a good, habitable condition, whether it’s council or privately owned, but the tenants definitely have their part to play in looking after the property.
Some years back now tenants of ours reported mould starting to form in the bathroom. The letting agent sent someone round and the tenants admitted that they rarely opened any windows. We ended up putting a dehumidifier in the flat. They left soon after that and we had no further problems with subsequent tenants.
It seems to be standard practice to blame tenants.
Yes.
Callistemon21
^It seems to be standard practice to blame tenants^.
Yes.
Indeed!
See the post above yours.
Most buildings will get damp areas if there is no outlet for moisture from showering cooking and even breathing, but many examples of severe mould seem to be more prevalent in blocks of flats.
I’m not a building expert but wonder if some of these buildings may be inadequately insulated at construction and is there for example insufficient ventilation built into the structure?
There should also be secure facilities in all blocks where residents can wash and dry clothing.
It’s just too easy to blame tenants for not adequately ventilating their property.
Homes for tenants need to be of good design and high quality with fast access to remedial action when there is a problem. Not just boxes with the minimum square feet of living space.
Well having read what happened RBH have introduced safeguards to prevent any reoccurrence and to try to deal with the problems. How Michael Gove has the nerve to say anything I do not know. If there had been more affordable housing and more social housing built in the years the Tories have been in power perhaps there would have been a more suitable place to house this family. But we have a severe housing shortage. We have families living in temporary accommodation for years. We have families occupying unsuitable housing because there is nothing else available.
There was also in this case a complete failure to provide proper medical treatment, partly because of covid and language difficulties, which could also be due to underfunding of the NHS.
It wasn't the failure of one organisation it was the failure of a society based on profit and ignoring the weakest and poorest.
growstuff
Callistemon21
It seems to be standard practice to blame tenants.
Yes.Indeed!
See the post above yours.
Probably a X post.
I know all about this from the present experiences of one of our DC.
It's shocking.
Urmstongran
In the Telegraph this morning:
“MICHAEL GOVE has said it “beggars belief” that the head of a housing association is still in his job after a two-year-old boy died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
Awaab Ishak’s parents repeatedly complained to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) about the state of their flat, which was described as unfit for human habitation.
But nothing was done to remedy the problem and in December 2020, Awaab, who had suffered from breathing problems, died from respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Mr Gove, the Housing Secretary, described it as an “unacceptable tragedy” and said that he had summoned Gareth Swarbrick, the chief executive of RBH, to his department to explain himself.
He accused the housing association of ignoring the family’s concerns and hiding behind procedure, adding: “It beggars belief that this guy is still in office. He’s coming here in order to explain to me why it was that this tragedy was allowed to happen.” Rochdale coroner’s court heard Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, came to the UK from Sudan in 2016 and was joined by his wife a year later.”
Gove voted against the bill.
So excuse me if I don’t believe anything this mealy mouthed individual says.
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