Bow local councillor and Tower Hamlets cabinet member Mark Francis has quit the board of Circle Old Ford Housing Association slamming them for their record of repairs and maintenance.
He and other board members stormed out of the meeting following concerns about a maintenance contract after a family of four were taken to hospital with suspected gas poisoning.
Gas leak family… Joe Mordey with his three children in their home in Waverton House
The full story is reported in the East London Advertiser.
This reflects a growing concern across the country that the increasing amalgamation and corporatisation of the housing associations, who now hold the major responsibility for social housing in the country, are becoming further removed from their tenants and any notions of democratic control.
Often started as a result of local pressure, or developed to take over the responsibility for social housing from local councils, Housing Associations are in a process of ever-increasing amalgamation and expansion. They would no doubt argue that they have no choice as the Government simultaneously asks them to take on more responsibility for social housing at the same time massively reducing the money available, forcing them into economies of scale. But are they becoming part of the problem rather than part of the solution?
Some Housing Associations appear to be resisting this pressure. How is it that Poplar Harca will not expand beyond Poplar and Tower Hamlets? Is it time the Housing Associations stood up to the government?
Well done, Im a circle housing tenant and ive been left with rain water dripping into my main feed to my electric and thay have taken pictures and alsorts, I’m scared for me and my partner as it’s the only exit out, circle housing said if national grid came thay will shut down the flat, but thay don’t won’t to decamp up.
Having been a Leaseholder of Easend Homes for 7 years I can relate to this, also a Councilor in Tower Hamlets and dealt with them all
RSL’S were formed by Labour Goverment and LabourTower Hamlets Council.
These estates were given away with no thougt for the residents or how it would effect their lives. No checks in place to see everything is being done correctly and within the law.
Made into Charitiees and ex Tower Hamlets Housing Staff promoted to run them as CEO. Next step is that they got in bed with developers and build on all greeen spaces on estates for private housing, for millions of pounds for them, not residents.
With EEH its Telford Homes who’s director worked in Planning at Tower Hamlets , funny that. My Daughter is a Old Ford Leaseholder and they are a nightmere to get any response from. Far too big to care
Well done Marc for standing up for local people, against a Registered Social Landlord who in it’s efforts to get bigger and bigger
are failing there tenants.