The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
‘We Are not evil’ sAys firm
Company evicting St Michael’s Gate residents hits out at PT coverage
The housing firm evicting dozens of residents from the St Michael’s Gate estate has called on the Peterborough Telegraph to stop seeing it as an “evil organisation.” Stef & Philips has hit back at what it sees as a wave of negative publicity for its part in the continuing saga which involves 72 people being evicted fromtheirhomestomakeway for homeless people.
In a rare public statement, the firm’s business development director Shaz Wasim said: “AtsomestagethePTwill have to stop seeing S&P as an evil organisation and see the positive difference we are already making to the lives of people and the Peterborough City Council purse.”
Mr Wasim was responding to last week’s story about the council taking enforcement action against the firm due to mouldanddampataSt Michael’s Gate property.
Stef & Philips said it had “inherited numerous disrepair problems fromthe previous managing agent” and had begun making repairs before being instructed to do so by the council.
The PT has asked Stef & Philips repeatedly if it would like to be interviewed but has never received a response.
The company has agreed a three-year deal withthecouncil worth nearly £1 million a year for the St Michael’s Gate homes in Parnwell to be used astemporaryaccommodation for the city’s homeless.
The council said it had to do the deal as Stef & Philips would evict the tenants in any case and homeless people could be brought in from other cities to replace them.
Stef & Philips has previously defended its actions, claiming:“Thesuggestionthat ‘this is all about money’ could notbefurtherfromthetruth.”
It added that it was providing the council “an excellent opportunity to reduce the use of unsuitableaccommodation elsewhere.” Stef & Philips is the managing agents for the homes which are owned by Paul Simon Magic Homes.