The landlord responsible for the flat where tragic two-year-old Awaab Ishak lived exposed to mould and damp before his death said refugees were 'lucky to have a roof' over their heads, a damning report revealed today.
The report found the Ishak family were 'not seen at all' by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) - and said 'their entire treatment was based on assumptions as to who they were and how they lived'. One former member of staff reported to the Housing Ombudsman that a manager said living with mould was 'ok and acceptable'.
The Ombudsman, releasing the findings of a special investigation into RBH initiated after the inquest into Awaab's death, highlighted a 'disturbing picture of residents being judged entirely by staff members' held prejudices, lazy assumptions and an attitude towards asylum seekers and refugees that is wholly unacceptable'.
