We are saddened to hear about the issues
ROCHDALE Boroughwide Housing (RBH) says it will check all properties on Freehold following the M.E.N’s investigation.
Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive at RBH, said: “We are saddened to hear about the issues raised by residents in this piece. We have made direct contact with all the residents to look at how we can support them and to ensure their homes are at the standard we would wish to see.
“We have established a dedicated, specialist team who have started to visit every home in this neighbourhood to check the current condition of all of the 376 homes. We expect this to be completed by early September.
“Any issues relating to damp and mould will be dealt with as a priority. Actions could include installation of Positive Input Ventilation units and humidity sensors as well as three stage anti-mould treatments. The dedicated, specialist team can be contacted on freephone 0800 027 7769.”
Commenting on Awaab’s death, Mr Swarbick added: “We continue to extend our condolences to the Abdullah family. We commissioned an independent investigation immediately following the death of Awaab Ishak, which is with the coroner.
“Further details have been provided about the repair history of this home as well as repairs that we have carried out to neighbouring homes, as requested by the coroner. This is a complex and ongoing case involving a number of agencies and we are legally unable to comment further at this time.”
RBH says underinvestment in housing by successive governments is now having an impact.
A spokesperson said: “Housing associations and councils across the UK face specific challenges around the type and quality of their homes, their ability to meet current and future housing needs, the need to rise to the climate emergency as well as building much needed affordable new homes.”
A spokesperson for RBH explained how mould is treated.
They said: “When we receive a report about damp and mould we investigate to understand what the appropriate treatment should be in each case. In the case of mould, our standard treatment involves an application of an antimould spray to remove it.
“This is then followed by an application of an anticondensation coating, with a second layer if required. These applications each need to dry for the treatment to be effective, therefore, several visits may be required by us. Other actions could include installation of Positive Input Ventilation units and humidity sensors as well as three stage anti-mould treatments.”
In a statement issued via Rochdale Council, Coun Daniel Meredith, cabinet member for housing and highways, said: “The council uses a housing register to allocate social housing in Rochdale which has a banded housing criterion.
“How judgements and decisions are made are detailed within the council’s allocation policy and follows part VI of the Housing Act 1996 and the relevant code of guidance. The council’s policy was subject to public consultation and is according to prior council members approval.”
“Unfortunately, current demand for social accommodation within Rochdale is higher in all need categories than the availability of social housing. This is a situation faced by most local authorities.”