The Bill leading to Awaab's Law is set to appear in Parliament for a final time this week before being signed off by King Charles. More than 177,000 people signed a change.org petition launched by the Manchester Evening News to change the law in Awaab Ishak's memory.
The two-year-old died in December 2020 following prolonged exposure to mould at a social housing flat on Rochdale's Freehold estate, run by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), where he lived with his mum and dad. His inquest last November heard how the family had first complained about mould in the flat before Awaab was born, and were told to paint over it.
Concerns were also raised on several occasions in 2020, but work to resolve the issue was not carried out, and the flat was found to be 'unfit for human habitation without repairs' following his death. An M.E.N. investigation last summer revealed other families were still living in similar conditions on the estate, including children with breathing difficulties.
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With the support of Greater Manchester MPs, the M.E.N. campaigned alongside Shelter for a change in the law to ensure no social housing tenant could suffer in the same way Awaab's family had. Outside Rochdale Coroners Court following the inquest, his family described the toll the mould had taken on them, and how their 'lives changed forever' after little Awaab's death.
They said: "We cannot tell you how many health professionals we've cried in front and RBH staff we have pleaded to expressing concern for the conditions ourselves and Awaab have been living in. We shouted out as loudly as we could, but despite making all of those efforts, every night we would be coming back to the same problem. Nothing was changing.
"We felt like we weren't getting anywhere, and we weren't. Often our calls weren't even answered. We don't feel RBH actually cared about us.
"Awaab's coughing fits would sometimes last two to three days. There were days we wouldn't be able to take Awaab out of the house because of how bad his coughing was - but of course by him staying in the house, this made his coughing worse. We were absolutely trapped.
"Living in these conditions affected every aspect of our lives. We didn't feel at peace with ourselves when in the property. All the time we felt troubled.
"We were anxious and fearful of what the mould was doing to Awaab. Whenever friends would come to visit, they would tell us that the conditions RBH were keeping us in 'were not right'."
The M.E.N. launched the campaign for Awaab's Law following the inquest, with huge support from readers. Most of the campaign's demands have been met through amendments to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, which returns to the House of Lords on Tuesday for 'consideration of amendments' - the final stage before Royal Assent.
Awaab's Law will mean social landlords have to follow strict timeframes to inspect cases of damp and mould, and carry out urgent repairs. Those timeframes will be set following a consultation period, expected to take place later this year.
New legislation will also ensure clear information is provided to tenants on their rights, allow for Ofsted-style inspections of housing associations, and require housing managers to take professional qualifications - a demand set by Grenfell United during extensive campaigning. Separately, clear guidance on damp and mould as a health hazard is being issued to the housing sector.
Housing secretary Michael Gove promised to look into Awaab's Law last November, before confirming plans to amend the Bill to include legislation in the toddler's memory earlier this year. Following a meeting with Mr Gove in February, Awaab's dad Faisal Abdullah said: "My wife and I still struggle to deal with the loss of our son, but we are finally starting to feel like we are being treated fairly.
"We hope that Awaab's Law will help stop any other family going through the pain we have gone through. We would not wish this pain on anybody."
In the wake of Awaab's inquest, RBH chief executive Gareth Swarbrick was eventually ousted, having initially insisted he would remain in his position. The housing association has since been downgraded by the Regulator of Social Housing, after a review found 80% of homes on Freehold were affected by damp and mould.
In their statement, Awaab's family - who came to the UK from Sudan as refugees - said they had 'no doubt' they were treated differently because they were not from the UK. A shocking Housing Ombudsman report later found evidence of a 'wholly unacceptable' attitude towards refugees among some staff at RBH.
The housing association has since established a 'recovery and improvement plan' and a 'damp and mould taskforce', replaced its board and a new chief executive has been appointed. Following the whirlwind period, Awaab's dad Faisal thanked the public, saying: "Your support has stopped us feeling alone during this hard time."
Describing their 'beautiful Awaab' outside Rochdale Coroners Court last November, the family said: "He was always full of smiles, he liked to joke and was full of life and laughter.
"He used to enjoy playing on his bike and with his ball. He always wanted to be with us. His absence leaves a huge void."
