Richard Boyd Barrett: Urgent Rehousing for Families in Sally Noggin
Richard Boyd Barrett raised the case of four families living in council masonettes in Sally Noggin, describing rodent infestation, black mould, damp and ice in walls, and called for urgent rehousing. He said the conditions breach rights under the European Social Charter and urged the Minister for Housing to prioritise children and families.
The speaker reported that three of the four families have young children and infants and are living in council masonettes in Sally Noggin with rodent infestation, black mould and damp running down the walls, and one tenant reported ice inside a wall.
He said families have been sick for years and described the accommodation as inappropriate and not fit for human habitation, emphasising the particular urgency for children and families who are becoming ill due to the conditions.
Richard Boyd Barrett referred to the Rialto case in Dolphin's Barn and argued that forcing tenants to live in such conditions is a breach of their rights under the European Social Charter.
He urged that affected tenants be moved and that a system of prioritisation be implemented for rehousing, particularly for children and families in unhealthy housing. He asked for details to be sent to his office so he can engage immediately with the Minister for Housing.
The speaker said he first met the families during the general election and that they have submitted repeated letters to the council seeking urgent rehousing, with no adequate resolution to date.
Allegations of dangerous housing conditions
The speaker reported that three of the four families have young children and infants and are living in council masonettes in Sally Noggin with rodent infestation, black mould and damp running down the walls, and one tenant reported ice inside a wall.
Impact on children and families
He said families have been sick for years and described the accommodation as inappropriate and not fit for human habitation, emphasising the particular urgency for children and families who are becoming ill due to the conditions.
Legal precedent and rights cited
Richard Boyd Barrett referred to the Rialto case in Dolphin's Barn and argued that forcing tenants to live in such conditions is a breach of their rights under the European Social Charter.
Call for prioritisation and ministerial action
He urged that affected tenants be moved and that a system of prioritisation be implemented for rehousing, particularly for children and families in unhealthy housing. He asked for details to be sent to his office so he can engage immediately with the Minister for Housing.
Background to the complaint
The speaker said he first met the families during the general election and that they have submitted repeated letters to the council seeking urgent rehousing, with no adequate resolution to date.
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Transcript
So I met them during the general election. I've been advocating for four families, three of them with young children and infants who are living in council masonettes in my area in Sally Noggin, living in absolutely deplorable conditions. Rodent infestation, black mould, damp running down the walls. One of the tenants told me this morning there was ice inside the wall because of the water running down the walls. These masonettes have been earmarked for redevelopment, but meantime the children and the families for years now have been sick. They've submitted letter after letter to the council asking to be urgently rehoused, inappropriate accommodation. It is actually, as we know from the Rialto case in Dolphin's Barn, it is a breach of their rights. Under the European Social Charter to be forced to live in these conditions. They should be moved and there should be a system of prioritisation, particularly for children and families, when they are living in conditions that are making them sick and that are not fit for human habitation. Will you act on this? If you can send my office the details, I'll engage immediately with the Minister for Housing in relation to that matter. Thank you.