The boss tasked with turning Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) around says Awaab Ishak's legacy is the end of 'lifestyle' being blamed for damp and mould. Yvonne Arrowsmith was brought into RBH as interim chief executive last December with the housing association dealing with the aftermath of Awaab's inquest.
The toddler died aged two in December 2020 following prolonged exposure to mould at a property on RBH's Freehold estate, with coroner Joanne Kearsley describing the tragedy as a 'defining moment' for the social housing sector. A Manchester Evening News investigation last summer found other tenants were suffering in similar conditions, including children with breathing difficulties.
RBH inspected the Freehold flats following the M.E.N.'s work and found a staggering 80% of homes affected by damp and mould - more than 18 months after Awaab had died. Ms Arrowsmith said: "It wasn't until [the M.E.N.] went to Freehold that RBH went to Freehold.
