The human rights of HfW's residents are at stake.
We are deeply concerned hearing from residents who have been threatened by HfW for speaking out on social media about their lived experiences. We are already aware a number of residents having been affected due to their legal disrepair cases with confidentially terms preventing residents from speaking about their cases without the written permission from HfW. It’s extremely troubling that HfW have stooped to a new low, threatening residents for speaking out, causing unnecessary fear and anxiety to prevent residents from accessing the help and support they need for their needs.
HfW have a long history of putting residents at risk while causing harm, neglecting residents, properties and failing to provide basic services to their residents. This has had a devastating impact on lower income communities, who are already struggling to make ends meet during the cost of living crisis.
Over recent years, we have seen cases rise where HfW have failed to carry out repairs and maintenance, leaving residents living in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, forcing them to take legal action for breach of contract in order to get HfW to carry out the repairs and be compliant with their contracts.
Since ITV and Kwajo started exposing the shocking and dehumanising living conditions some of the largest landlords had left residents to suffer and live in, HfW began decanting residents unnecessarily into temporary accommodation to prevent residents from sharing their housing with the media, specifically ITV.
We have also seen cases where HfW have tried evicting vulnerable and disabled residents for rent arrears, ASB and no access while denying residents access to essential and basic services as well as discriminating against residents during the appalling crisis.
We are very concerned and disturbed with HfW’s approach of punishing residents through Courts. The cost of living crisis has made this situation even worse. Residents are struggling to afford the basic necessities, let alone the cost of repairs and maintenance. As a result, they are being forced to live in unsafe and unhealthy conditions while having to go through a very costly and stressful court case that should have never occurred.
We are calling on government to protect residents from the many harms caused by HfW and to urgently intervene with the unlawful and harmful discriminatory practices being used against vulnerable residents who are facing eviction and silencing. We are also calling on the Mayor of London to take steps to address the inequalities faced residents as a result of HfW’s failures.