ao link
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In

You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles

National Housing Federation chief ‘sorry’ for housing conditions uncovered by ITV

National Housing Federation (NHF) chief executive Kate Henderson has apologised for squalid conditions in social housing uncovered by ITV News.

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said residents deserve better (picture: Jonathan Goldberg)
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said residents deserve better (picture: Jonathan Goldberg)
Sharelines

.@natfednews chief executive @KateNHF has apologised for squalid conditions in social housing properties uncovered by ITV News #UKhousing

In an interview with ITV broadcast last night, Ms Henderson said the level of disrepair found in social homes across the country was “not acceptable” and said the sector must improve.

She said: “The stories we’ve seen on ITV News are just not acceptable, not only because of the levels of disrepair in these homes, but also because the residents have not felt listened to.

“I’m sorry that these residents have been let down. They deserve better.”

Ms Henderson noted that housing associations last year invested £5.7bn in repairs and maintenance but said the sector must now learn from what has gone wrong.


READ MORE

Clarion apologises to residents after ITV investigation exposes squalid conditions in London estateClarion apologises to residents after ITV investigation exposes squalid conditions in London estate
Croydon Council becomes second landlord to breach tenant standard after ITV investigationCroydon Council becomes second landlord to breach tenant standard after ITV investigation
Housing Ombudsman to investigate damp and mould problems in sectorHousing Ombudsman to investigate damp and mould problems in sector
Welsh government asks social landlords to provide assurance over disrepair issues following ITV investigationWelsh government asks social landlords to provide assurance over disrepair issues following ITV investigation

The trade body chief executive said that housing association homes are better quality rented homes overall than others, with government data showing that just 5% have some kind of damp or mould problem – less than other types of social homes or private rented sector properties.

Ms Henderson added: “It is also important to reflect on the immense pressure the housing system is under across the country.

“As well as an acute shortage of social homes, some older houses and flats need to be replaced. In some areas, whole estates need to be renewed. We want to work with partners in government and local communities to tackles these challenges.

“But there are certain standards that homes must meet, and I have spoken to housing associations across the country that are now taking urgent action on this, as are we at the National Housing Federation.”

The Housing Ombudsman has also launched its own ‘thematic investigation’ into damp and mould in the social housing sector.

ITV has carried out a series of reports on poor conditions in social housing over recent weeks, previously focusing on homes owned by Croydon Council and Clarion Housing Group.

Last night, 65,000-home landlord The Guinness Partnership was criticised over the state of one of its homes in Manchester, where images showed three-year-old flood damage to floors and walls and heavy black mould in the bathroom.

In a statement, Guinness said: “We have previously carried out works to the home and, before this case was reported by ITV, we had already agreed to carry out further works. We had also agreed a timetable for the works.

“Some of these works are new works, identified in December 2020. Previous works, undertaken in 2018, were signed off as satisfactory by the customer’s own appointed surveyor.

“Remaining works, described as ‘minor issues’ by a different surveyor, also appointed by the customer, were deferred due to customer preference. Our offer to clear the mould from her home has been declined. Two offers of compensation have also been rejected. The customer has requested a move to a larger property and we are doing our best to facilitate this as fast as possible.

“Irrespective, the condition of our customer’s property is not acceptable, and we are very sorry that she and her family are living in these conditions while works to her home are pending.”

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for our daily newsletter
Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Add New Comment
You must be logged in to comment.