Councillor slams social landlord over ‘empty flats’
ACOUNCILLOR has claimed that a social landlord is leaving homes empty in the town centre - at a time of a homelessness crisis.
Faisal Rana, councillor for Spotland and Falinge, said that 250 flats on the College Bank estate in the centre of Rochdale were being left empty.
But the landlord, Rochdale Borough Housing (RBH), said the claims were both deeply inaccurate and extremely misleading and also said they did not require any tenant to move out during the pandemic.
Last year the Observer reported on RBH’s plans to demolish four of the seven towers of the Seven
Sisters flats on College Bank within the next six years.
RBH said that the flats were being left empty to make way for a planned investment in all seven towers.
Cllr Rana said: “Just before Christmas, the housing charity Shelter reported that Rochdale was facing a homeless crisis with 182 people sleeping rough or in emergency accommodation.
“At the same time, RBH had 250 properties empty on the College Bank estate. Those empty flats could house the homeless.
“All this is happening at a time when RBH is pushing ahead with their plans to demolish four out of seven blocks on the College
Bank estate - with a total of 480 flats put to the wrecking ball.”
Last year RBH chief executive Gareth Swarbrick said that £90m worth of investment would be needed to make improvements to the towers.
“These are good, solid and popular homes,” said cllr Rana.
“There are examples of tower blocks in Greater Manchester being extensively refurbished for half that cost.
“They just want social housing tenants out of the town centre and are prepared to waste millions pulling their homes down.”
RBH said that the highrise blocks at College Bank need enormous investment to provide the quality of homes that local people deserve and that they have shared their independent professional cost estimates with Rochdale Council, which have been independently verified.
Cllr Rana also claimed that he had been contacted by an elderly, frail tenant with health problems who he says is confused and frightened for his future at the Mitchell Hey block.
He said: “Rochdale Council, College Bank residents and I am sure the overwhelming majority of Rochdale people are disgusted at the way tenants are being treated.
“When we are faced with huge waiting lists and record numbers of people homeless, RBH must reverse its decision to bulldoze hundreds of perfectly good homes.”
In response a spokesperson for RBH said: “Our top priority during the pandemic is the health and wellbeing of our tenants and employees. Councillor Rana’s assertion is simply false.
“We do not expect or require any resident to move during the pandemic period, although we will continue to support those who actively wish to move.
“We know that it is a worrying time for residents already and it is deeply irresponsible of Councillor Rana to create additional worry by making baseless and factually inaccurate statements about rehousing.”
The company said their aim was to deliver high quality social housing in the town centre which would include specialist homes for older people as well as new houses and new and refurbished apartments.
The spokesperson said: “We have guaranteed that all residents who need to move will be able to stay in the town centre if they wish to do so, in the same type of home with the same tenancy rights.
“We agree with the
Council that it would not be appropriate to rehouse families with young children in high-rise homes, and we are already building new family homes with gardens in the town centre area.
“We will continue to work with Council to deliver on our unprecedented investment in College Bank and Lower Falinge, creating the homes and community facilities that current residents and future generations need and deserve.”