The family of Awaab Ishak has accused the housing association which failed to tackle mould at their home in the months before his death of racism. Coroner Joanne Kearsley ruled that the two-year-old died after prolonged exposure to mould at their home, on Rochdale's Freehold estate, leading to fatal breathing difficulties.
His parents have now described the 'gruelling' torture they have faced since his death and feeling 'trapped' in their home before it, insisting Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) did not care about them. They also described being 'fearful' of the mould affecting their son, and the lack of certainty over legal aid for the family until days before the case was due to be heard.
Following six days of evidence at Rochdale Coroners Court, Ms Kearsley said RBH should have acted to deal with the issue between July 2020 and the toddler's death on December 21 that year. She also found that ventilation at their home was 'not effective', and criticised the landlord's approach of blaming the family for the problem - insisting there was 'no evidence that the ways of living by the family were in any way excessive'.
