Oldham mum's anger at Council's housing allocation procedures

An angry married mum of three from Oldham has questioned the Council's housing allocation procedures as she struggles to be re-housed after more than five years of trying.

Kim Taylor currently lives in a privately rented property on Redgrave Street in Oldham with her husband and three children, aged 14, 6, and 6 months.

However, she says that the house is damp and has mould on the walls, concerns which have been in the media spotlight elsewhere recently due to the shocking case of tragic toddler Awaab Ishak in nearby Rochdale.

An inquest last month found the two-year-old’s death was caused by a severe respiratory illness brought on by the conditions in the one-bedroom flat his family rented from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing on the town’s Freehold estate.

Kim also alleges that some of her neighbours are abusive, and have even assaulted her.

Despite these issues and more, Kim is now at the end of her tether as her hopes of being offered an alternative home are constantly being dashed.

Kim told the Chronicle: "I have been bidding on Oldham's local authority homes since June, 2017, when I was forced to leave my long-term partner.

"I have never been offered a home.

"I am currently a band two and am positive I need to be in band one to even be offered a home.

"However, when I have questioned my housing officer at Oldham Council about what set of circumstances warrants a band one place, I can't get a definitive answer.

"They tell me they go to people who have been hospitalised, or homeless people.

"When I really press them about whom they are being allocated to, they cannot give me a proper answer.

"I have recently bid on more than 30 three-bedroomed new build homes belonging to First Choice Homes Oldham.

"These properties are 'working extra', so that means they are supposed to be offered to families with children under 16 who work, but the Council are telling me they will be allocated to homeless people or people who, for example, have lost a leg or similar or someone who has been sectioned.

"When I ask for an example of one of the successful candidates' circumstances, I am told they can't tell me because of data protection.

"I am not asking for names - just an example of their situation. 

"I think I have a strong case for being rehoused.

"I currently live in a two-bedroom house with my husband, my 14-year-old son, my six-year-old daughter and my six-month-old daughter.

"Our current home is damp and has mould on the walls, and to make matters worse, one of the families on the street are racist towards my husband and abusive.

"I got assaulted by them last year in front of my six-year-old daughter.

"All these little things added up together have taken a massive toll on my mental health.

"My home should be my safe space and my current accommodation is definitely not that. 

"I want some clear definitive answers as to who these new build homes are being allocated to - obviously not names, but circumstances.

"When I look at some of the new build properties already allocated - for example those in Greenfield - they have gone to people who drive Range Rovers, Mercedes and Audi cars.

"To me these people do not sound like they are in need of affordable housing - none of it makes sense.

"The whole process is extremely unfair. 

"As it stands I will never be successful."

Oldham Council say little further can be done despite her predicament.

"While we sympathise with Ms Taylor’s circumstances, the allocations process is needs-based and demand for social housing continues to grow while the supply is falling," said a Council spokesperson.

“Since April 2022 there have been 54 properties with three bedrooms become available, and there are 1,756 households seeking a property of this size.

“We appreciate the tenure of a private rented property is not as secure as a tenancy with a social housing provider, but given the availability of social housing properties we have proposed considering other housing options such as private rented accommodation.

“In regard to the condition of the property, our Environmental Health team visited the property on December 9, 2022. 

"There was a small area of condensation-related mould growth in the kitchen area. 

"The officer also identified water penetration to the wall to the porch which requires rectifying and they have contacted the managing agent about this.

“The Community Safety Officer for the area has been in contact with Greater Manchester Police and incidents were confirmed as being reported on March 31, 2021 and April 2, 2021.

"No further incidents have been recorded.

"Support by the Community Safety team has been offered and was refused.

“For this reason and without further evidence, we cannot at this time review Ms Taylor’s housing application to a higher band.” 

FCHO say that homes allocated via the Council’s housing register, 'are allocated based on housing need'.

Kelly Webb, Director of Customer Services at First Choice Homes Oldham, told the Chronicle: “We understand that it is frustrating for Ms Taylor and the many other people on the local housing waiting list who are bidding for homes or looking to move.

“Unfortunately, as in many other parts of the country, demand for social and affordable housing locally is extremely high and there is a shortage of available homes.

“We’re working hard to address this by continually investing in our existing properties and building at least 700 new, affordable homes by 2026 to help meet local housing need.

“In the meantime, we are committed to providing appropriate support to help local people find suitable places to live.

"As with most social housing in the borough, we let all our properties through Oldham Council’s housing register, and these are allocated based on housing need.

"Ms Taylor is registered for rehousing, and able to bid on homes of her choice across the borough.

“Our team will continue to provide Miss Taylor with advice to secure a more suitable home through Oldham Council’s housing register.”

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