Thank you to each and every one of you who have signed and shared our petition. We are truly so grateful and appreciate all your support.   What is already a very challenging time for residents due to the pandemic, residents are still struggling and suffering even more from domestic abuse cases which have increased and got worse. Despite December and January being the most common months known for abuse cases escalating and worsening as with lockdowns too, HfW are still failing victims. If you have a neighbour that is suffering with domestic abuse, you can contact Refuge on 0808 2000 247 and Mankind for male victims of abuse on 01823 334244. 

For many residents, it’s already very challenging living in their homes due to abuse, hate crime, due to their homes and buildings being unsafe and dangerous, due to repair works being ignored, overcrowding and due to poverty, especially fuel poverty. The lockdowns have made living conditions unbearable and claustrophobic. Some buildings and homes are death traps that are only going to get worse because of HfW’s negligence. Every year, the number of residents with health and mental health conditions continues to rise because of their living conditions. Children are suffering and their education is being affected. Yet HfW are nowhere to be found or seen when help and support is needed. But they happily have lots of time posting on social media. A publicity stunt and tactic they use in order to get gullible people to donate money to them. 

For many years, HfW have portrayed a fake image of being this great charity, who empower women, who helps victims of abuse and provides great, quality and affordable homes. Yet many residents and their loved ones know this is not true. Even ex staff members have spoken out on how bad it is. Staffing continues to be a massive problem. It’s demoralising not just for residents but new staff members. HfW are not adhering to their behaviours in line with their epic values and still not providing great, quality, affordable and safe homes. In fact, a large number of homes are not safe or fit to live in. They do not empower women and exclude males. They continue to ignore abuse, hate crime, ASB, repairs, fire safety, health and safety and continue to put residents at risk and harm. They have been using the pandemic as an excuse to further ignore repairs with some outstanding long before COVID. With all the money and profit HfW make from rents and service charges, plus the donations and funding they receive, they have more than enough money to carry out repairs, make homes and buildings safe however they choose to ignore these and force residents to live in unsafe, dangerous, damp, mouldy, freezing cold slum conditions. Miraculously they have so much money to keep hiring so many staff members yet refuse to spend money on safety. Many homes are still waiting to have their flammable balconies removed which was due to be completed in September 2019. It’s now 2021 and still nothing and not even the temporary fire protection they stated would be provided until balconies are replaced. 

Authorities and those with a duty of care must take residents concerns seriously to avoid anymore unnecessary tragedies. Loss of life as a result of suicide, domestic abuse or due to the deterioration of their health conditions can and must be prevented. People have a right to live a safe, long and healthy life in an affordable, safe and decent home instead of their life expectancy being shortened due to their living conditions. And now with Covid-19 being out of control, residents are being put at greater risk due to HfW still refusing to provide a deep clean of their buildings despite charging each household extortionate charges for cleaning and maintenance. Residents have been living in crisis for years and new residents will be too. Please continue to share our petition and ask family and friends to sign and share too. This is our only hope left and the only way authorities will take matters seriously and hold HfW accountable. Thank you.