Works would have been carried out at Awaab Ishak's home sooner 'had we known what we know now', a senior housing boss told his inquest. In a final day of evidence before coroner Joanne Kearsley gives her conclusion next week, Nadhia Khan said Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has looked to 'change things for the better' following the tragedy that unfolded two years ago.
Rochdale Coroners' Court heard that Awaab died aged just two on December 21, 2020, after suffering a cardiac arrest which followed fatal breathing difficulties. Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb previously told the inquest that mould was 'the most plausible, or only, explanation' for the issue.
Ms Khan, director of customer and community at RBH, told the court the housing association has a large amount of ageing housing stock built before the 1980s. This includes the Freehold estate, including the Ilminster block where Awaab lived with his family, which Ms Khan confirmed there was no plan to knock down.
