It's an image that could be from any child's birthday. Little Awaab Ishak, on December 13, 2020, wearing a party hat as he stands next to his second birthday cake.
He died just eight days later. Awaab suffered a cardiac arrest due to respiratory failure, which had been caused by mould affecting his airway, in a poorly ventilated flat which an expert would describe as 'unfit for human habitation'.
"I'm sure I am not alone in asking how does this happen?" coroner Joanne Kearsley asked, finding, at the conclusion of an inquest, that Awaab died as a result of a severe respiratory condition caused due to prolonged exposure to mould at home, and that action to treat and prevent the mould was not taken.
"How in the UK in 2020 does a two-year-old child die from exposure to mould in his home?" the coroner added.
It was a tragedy that could have been prevented, and should have been prevented. That's why, today, the M.E.N. is launching a new campaign. A campaign for a change in the law that would compel housing associations not to allow any other child, or anyone else, to suffer in damp and mouldy social housing.
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Awaab's family found themselves blamed for the damp and mould problem - even though their social landlord, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) had a backlog of hundreds of complaints about the issue at its properties. Our campaign calls for a change in a law which would give social landlords deadlines to sort mould problems out.
As Awaab's health deteriorated, requests from his family - and from a health visitor - for a move, went unheeded. Our campaign calls for bids for new homes in such cases - ones where medical professionals believe there's an urgent risk to health - to be treated as a high priority.
Something has to change - and soon. Almost two years on from Awaab's death, the Manchester Evening News has found other families on the same estate who had similar experiences as Awaab's family.
Other children rushed to hospital as they struggle to breathe, with parents having bids for new homes rejected, despite support from their GP in some cases.
The Social Housing Regulation Bill is currently going through Parliament, and if approved it would bring back regulation on consumer standards for social housing. The M.E.N. calls on all MPs and peers to support Bill and strengthen it, by including Ofsted-style inspections at short notice and increased professionalisation of housing management to improve the experience of tenants, including those living with damp and mould.
The M.E.N. also calls on MPs and peers to support an 'Awaab's Law', in addition to the Social Housing Regulation Bill. This would:
- Require social landlords investigate the causes of damp and mould within 14 days of complaints being made and provide tenants with a report on the findings
- Give social landlords seven days to begin work to repair a property if a medical professional believes there is a risk to a tenant's health
- Ensure bids for new social housing properties are treated as a high priority if a medical professional has recommended a tenant moves home after identifying a risk to health at their existing property, and
- Mandate social landlords to provide all tenants with information on their rights, how to make a complaint and what standards they can expect under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, provided in simple English or the language a tenant is most proficient in.
The campaign already has the backing of Citizens Advice in Rochdale, as well as national housing charity Shelter. Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “This case is truly heart-breaking.
"Nobody’s home should ever put their life at risk. For too long, too many social housing tenants have been forced to live in dangerous conditions in homes riddled with mould, and worse yet, are being ignored when they complain.
“The government promised it would bring in reforms and make sure social landlords are properly held to account. Its long overdue Social Housing Regulation Bill is a vital opportunity to make sure tenants are listened to and their homes are fit to live in.
“As the Bill moves through Parliament it's crucial that it has the clout to keep people safe in their homes. Just as we would expect a teacher to be qualified and for schools to be routinely inspected, we should expect this level of professionalism and care from social landlords too.”
Steve Hughes, chief operating officer for Citizen's Advice in Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford, added: "We are fully behind the implementation of the important Social Housing Regulations Bill to ensure those in social housing have high-quality standards of service and homes and the additional requirements under 'Awaab's Law'.
"In the sad death of Awaab, we've seen the shameful impact of poor property management, and we need to ensure those, often in the most vulnerable situations, have the greatest protection. Citizens Advice will always be on the side of those in need."
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READ MORE ON THIS STORY:
- 'We complained so many times about mould in our home but they did nothing to help us
Coroner rules Awaab Ishak, 2, died after mould wasn't treated at his home
Awaab Ishak's death shames the country - this is what needs to change now
All the ways tragic two-year-old toddler Awaab Ishak was failed before his death
Actions leading to Awaab Ishak's death were 'unacceptable', Downing Street says
