A family living in mouldy conditions are pleading to leave their flat due to their children's deteriorating health. Emma Whitehouse said her children were in and out of hospital up to three times a year because of breathing difficulties caused by the mould.
The family is currently occupying the two-bedroom apartment in Druid's Heath, Birmingham. The five children share a bedroom with sopping-wet bedsheets and mouldy curtains.
The couple said a leak from above has caused wet rot in their apartment and the mould has spread throughout. They are now left with a rotting toilet covered in fully-grown mushrooms, reports Birmingham Live.
Stuck in this situation for years, they said they had no hope of a move to a bigger flat as waiting lists for council housing were in the thousands. But mum Emma said "they can't go on like this".
"I've called around 20 different housing associations but there's nothing," she said. "Some have even closed their applications because there are too many people applying."
Plagued by eczema and breathing issues, the couple's children now bear the cost. Their father, Said Ali, said: "When a four-year-old kid is telling you himself that he can't breathe, that's when you know there is a problem.
"Usually kids don't care about this stuff, they play with their toys, they don't usually know what is happening, but they are telling me daddy I can't breathe in here. It's so bad, everywhere there's just mould and I have to clean it constantly because my kids are going to the hospital.
"I cleaned it a few days ago because my four-year-old came out of hospital after being on oxygen and the mould is already back. They have severe asthma and they have to breathe in this stuff all day. Before we took him to the hospital last time his breathing had slowed and his body was stiff."
Now news of the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale due to mould and damp in his home has left the parents desperate for a way out. But despite apparently offering to paint over the mould, they said Birmingham Council had done nothing.
"A few years ago they came round and painted over it, but after a few months it was already back and we haven't had any help since," Emma said.
During times when the children are able to stay at their grandma's house, their condition improves. She said: "When they are able to stay at my place they say 'wow grandma, I can breathe in here'."
Green Party Councillor Julien Pritchard said "the family deserve better". "The conditions Emma and her family are having to live with are appalling, and are massively worsening her children's health," he added.
"The council need to take this seriously and sort it out, so she has a safe and healthy home for her and her family. Unfortunately, cases like this are not uncommon.
"On too many occasions the council just hasn't taken issues of damp and mould seriously enough, not to mention leaks, heating and other maintenance problems. Birmingham City Council needs to get much better at sorting out housing issues like this. Tenants like Emma deserve so much better."
In response, Birmingham City Council said: "We apologise for the distress that this case has caused the tenant. We have contacted the tenant and are arranging with them to treat the mould as a matter of urgency.
"A housing officer has also been in contact with them regarding housing options in line with our allocation policy. Like all local authorities we were saddened at the tragic death of Awaab Ishak and offer our condolences to his parents.
"As the largest social landlord in the country Birmingham City Council inspects its properties for mould as part of its focus on carrying out increased numbers of home visits and is actively working with our tenants to prevent it. To assist them we are producing a housing toolkit which includes advice on treating mould and a leaflet which we will be distributing to all vulnerable tenants.
"We fully appreciate that with the current cost of living crisis that many of our poorest tenants will be struggling to adequately heat their homes. To help with household bills we have produced HelpinBrum www.birmingham.gov.uk/livingsupport which offers support and advice to families and households who are struggling.
"Mould is common is many homes and we would urge all tenants to keep their properties well-ventilated and to treat small amounts of mould quickly before the fungus has a chance to spread. Should tenants find mould in their homes, please don’t hesitate to report it."
