Gove attacks housing association failures
Housing Associations are under attack from the government which is accusing them of consistent failures over many years.
These failures have been
strikingly obvious to critics and campaigners for more than than two decades. The failures
have constantly been highlighted by this blog since the turn of the century in
the case of the inefficient and
autocratic Liverpool based association, Riverside.
Riverside and the other failed associations have always escaped scrutiny and have become accountable solely to themselves.But there has been a series of housing association scandals... the Grenfell disaster six years ago involving a big loss of life and two recent fatal incidents involving tenants.
Now the government is on the warpath. Mr Michael Gove, pictured, the housing secretary told the BBC two days ago that the case of one tenant, Sheila Seleoane - who lay dead in her flat for two-and-a-half years - was an unacceptable example of tenants being let down by housing associations.
He said the case speaks "to a wider culture of neglect" in the sector. Along with Grenfell and the death of two year old Awaab Ishaak caused by exposure to mould in his home, Mr Gove said the examples highlighted "a problem that we've had in the past, with social housing landlords treating their tenants with a degree of distance… and in some cases neglect, which is unacceptable" .
Pressed on whether it was a mistake to squeeze the finances of housing associations, Mr Gove said: "No, I disagree with that. I think it's entirely possible for housing associations, and many do, both to provide new homes and ensure that the homes for which they're currently responsible are safe, warm and decent."
He added: "There were some mistakes and errors made, not just by the coalition government but by the governments before which contributed to social tenants not getting the support that they deserved and not getting their voices heard."
He said that some housing associations are putting "black and white figures" ahead of engagement with residents.
In the case of Ms Seleoane, her housing association, Peabody, has apologised.
The organisation said it had changed the way it works since Ms Seleoane's death "to put people and their wellbeing at the centre of our operations".
The body of Ms Seleoane, 58, lay undiscovered for two-and-a-half years in her flat in Peckham, south London, despite neighbours repeatedly raising concerns with Peabody and the police.
Mr Gove described the case as "an horrific story".
"Her body was there in circumstances which speak to a wider culture of neglect," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Community Voice Carlisle is the blog of Carlisle Tenants` and Residents`Federation. Information about the Federation is availableon 01228 522277
No comments:
Post a Comment