Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley has today called for urgent action on the condition of social housing in the city and the squalor that some residents are being forced to live in.

Since the tragic news of the death of two-year old Awaab Ishak, from Rochdale who died from exposure to damp and mould in his home, Louise has been inundated by constituents who are living in the same or similar conditions, worried about their family’s health.

One family and the head teacher at the school that their children go to, contacted Louise about the condition of their two-bed property. Not only is the property covered in damp and mould but there are seven people living in cramped conditions, with four children sleeping in one bedroom that is only big enough for cots.

The family got in touch after their two-year old child had been admitted to hospital because he was suffering from bronchitis. The hospital said that this was caused by the damp and mould and the living conditions.

The family are working hard to keep the house as clean as possible and wipe down walls and surfaces several times a day, but to no avail.

Louise Haigh MP, said:

“For many years, I have been working with Sheffield City Council Housing Officers and asking them to improve the condition of their social housing stock and deal properly with repairs. I know that this is not an easy job to do, with more than £200million being cut by successive Tory Governments in the last 12 years, but the condition of too many homes in Sheffield is unacceptable.

“Families across the city and in my constituency are being forced to live in unacceptable conditions. I have been in touch with the Council about this case numerous times, and the response that I’m getting back from them, is that this is a problem caused by how the family are living.

“I’m demanding that action is taken on this case immediately and the family are moved from this property into one that is in a good condition and safe for them.

“I’ll keep advocating for this family and the hundreds more that live in these unacceptable conditions. We need to see urgent investment from the government to bring our housing stock up to standard and urgent attention from the council.”