Pressure is mounting on Gareth Swarbrick to step down following the death of Rochdale toddler Awaab Ishak. The toddler died following prolonged exposure to mould, which led to breathing difficulties resulting in cardiac arrest on December 21, 2020.
RBH described the death as a 'big learning experience' during the inquest and says it is now spending £1.2 million improving homes on the Freehold estate. Yet the work only started after the Manchester Evening News exposed conditions families were suffering in over the summer, more than 18 months on from the tot's death.
The housing association's position has sparked fury among senior politicians. Housing secretary Michael Gove questioned why Rochdale Boroughwide Housing's (RBH) chief executive was still in post on Tuesday evening following the conclusion of Awaab's inquest.
