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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/28/social-landlord-england-said-mould-acceptable-refugees-homes
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| Social landlord in England said mould was ‘acceptable’ in refugees’ homes | Social landlord in England said mould was ‘acceptable’ in refugees’ homes |
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| Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s failure to treat severe mould led to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak | Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s failure to treat severe mould led to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak |
| A social landlord claimed refugee tenants were lucky to have a roof over their heads and that mould was “acceptable” in their homes, an investigation has found. | A social landlord claimed refugee tenants were lucky to have a roof over their heads and that mould was “acceptable” in their homes, an investigation has found. |
| A manager at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), the housing provider whose failure to treat severe mould led to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, made the remark to a colleague, according to a damning report into the landlord’s wider conduct. | A manager at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), the housing provider whose failure to treat severe mould led to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, made the remark to a colleague, according to a damning report into the landlord’s wider conduct. |
| The housing ombudsman for England, Richard Blakeway, concluded RBH tenants were judged “by staff members’ … prejudices, lazy assumptions and an attitude towards asylum seekers and refugees that is wholly unacceptable”. RBH rents out over 12,000 homes. | The housing ombudsman for England, Richard Blakeway, concluded RBH tenants were judged “by staff members’ … prejudices, lazy assumptions and an attitude towards asylum seekers and refugees that is wholly unacceptable”. RBH rents out over 12,000 homes. |
| Blakeway, a former deputy mayor of London, is now urging all social landlords in England to undertake a “deep dive into their culture and whether they are living their social purpose”. | Blakeway, a former deputy mayor of London, is now urging all social landlords in England to undertake a “deep dive into their culture and whether they are living their social purpose”. |
| “It is highly unlikely that this endemic behaviour of ‘othering’ is isolated,” he warned. | “It is highly unlikely that this endemic behaviour of ‘othering’ is isolated,” he warned. |
| One in three black people in England who have experienced homelessness have also faced racial discrimination from a landlord, research has shown – six times more than the general population of those who had struggled for shelter. | One in three black people in England who have experienced homelessness have also faced racial discrimination from a landlord, research has shown – six times more than the general population of those who had struggled for shelter. |
| The National Housing Federation (NHF) responded that it will ensure landlords understood the Ombudsman’s recommendations “so the events that led to Awaab’s death are never repeated.” | The National Housing Federation (NHF) responded that it will ensure landlords understood the Ombudsman’s recommendations “so the events that led to Awaab’s death are never repeated.” |
| Awaab’s parents came to the UK from Sudan and have previously accused the landlord of racism and “unfair treatment” towards refugees and asylum seekers. Their two-year-old son died in December 2020 but the landlord waited nearly two years to check other properties. | Awaab’s parents came to the UK from Sudan and have previously accused the landlord of racism and “unfair treatment” towards refugees and asylum seekers. Their two-year-old son died in December 2020 but the landlord waited nearly two years to check other properties. |
| The ombudsman heard that a separate mould complaint was dismissed by an official saying: “Their frustration is that they want a bigger home and can’t get one.” | The ombudsman heard that a separate mould complaint was dismissed by an official saying: “Their frustration is that they want a bigger home and can’t get one.” |
| When an Asian tenant asked for garden improvements having seen a white neighbour get paving and fencing, he was told “RBH don’t do gardens”. They felt discriminated against. | When an Asian tenant asked for garden improvements having seen a white neighbour get paving and fencing, he was told “RBH don’t do gardens”. They felt discriminated against. |
| RBH housing officials said “ritual bathing” and “style of cooking by boiling food” were to blame for damp. One complained: “when people … go through the asylum process … everything is done for them in terms of cleaning and so they expect it when they are moving into accommodation”. | RBH housing officials said “ritual bathing” and “style of cooking by boiling food” were to blame for damp. One complained: “when people … go through the asylum process … everything is done for them in terms of cleaning and so they expect it when they are moving into accommodation”. |
| “It is remarkable that these stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes still exist, particularly from people in high positions of responsibility working with some of society’s most vulnerable people,” said Kelly Darlington, a solicitor speaking on behalf of Awaab’s parents. | “It is remarkable that these stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes still exist, particularly from people in high positions of responsibility working with some of society’s most vulnerable people,” said Kelly Darlington, a solicitor speaking on behalf of Awaab’s parents. |
| On the Rochdale estate where Awaab lived, 80% of the 380 homes had damp and mould and 12 were branded as Category 1 hazards – which means they may pose a risk to life. | On the Rochdale estate where Awaab lived, 80% of the 380 homes had damp and mould and 12 were branded as Category 1 hazards – which means they may pose a risk to life. |
| The ombudsman identified 10 cases of maladministration, “a pattern of exclusion and marginalisation based on identities perceived as different”, and ordered the landlord to apologise to five residents and pay over £8,000 in compensation. | The ombudsman identified 10 cases of maladministration, “a pattern of exclusion and marginalisation based on identities perceived as different”, and ordered the landlord to apologise to five residents and pay over £8,000 in compensation. |
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