Oldham family report 'fearing for life' in social housing

Adam, whose real name has been changed to protect his identity, has lived in Barlow House on the Eldon Street Estate which is managed by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) for almost two years with his wife and three-year-old son.

Since living under the housing association, the family have reported three incidents to police which span from public urination, in which a man allegedly exposed himself to his child, to threats, aggressive behaviour and assault.

In response, FCHO said it is aware of the situation and "regret the challenges he has faced" but that a "severe shortage of homes" means relocation to another property is only granted in "exceptional circumstances".

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Speaking to The Oldham Times, Adam said problems started from the moment he moved in when a youngster reportedly "presented" a knife to him when he confronted a group to move from outside his flat.

Adam reported this to police and said he considered the incident to be a "one-off".

However, he described the estate as being overrun by youths and drug dealers - and said incidents of anti-social behaviour are far from rare for residents of Barlow House.

Barlow House is managed by First Choice Homes Oldham (Image: Google Maps)

The problem persists as the communal door, which requires fob entry for residents, is 'wedged' open "every single day, without fail", according to the father who has reported this to FCHO.

The housing association said it carried out a "letter drop" to ask all tenants to be vigilant about letting unauthorised people gain access to the block but Adam said it has made no difference.

In another incident, his young son ran through the open door and was confronted by a man allegedly "exposing himself" and urinating.

The resident says the security door is kept open (Image: NQ)

His son was distressed and Adam again reported it to police and filed a complaint to FCHO in October last year, where he requested enhanced security.

However, letters seen by The Oldham Times show the housing association acknowledged the incident but said "no further action" could be taken and that it would not consider CCTV due to "very few reported incidents" and a lack of resources.

Adam also says they come across human faeces and vomit on the landing and communal stairwell several times - and in one case, blood splatters.

The Oldham Times has blurred these graphic images.

Suspected human faeces (Image: NQ)

The stench of sick, urine and allegedly 'cannabis smoke' is so bad that the family cover their mouth and noses when walking through the building.

He said: "That's what we have to do every time. It's sickening.

"There was sick on the landing last year and it took First Choice Homes weeks to clean it up.

"What do I pay a service charge for?

"Number one, this is a safety concern, number two, it's a health hazard, and number three, it is no place for a three-year-old to be seeing these sorts of things.

"I've raised this to First Choice Homes but they keep coming back with every excuse in the book not to move me."

Vomit is a frequent reoccurrence in the communal areas (Image: NQ)

The housing provider said it cleans communal areas once per fortnight as per a schedule and said to Adam in a letter that any additional clean-ups would mean an "increase in charges".

In a third incident reported to police, Adam claims another group were shouting outside his flat and he was assaulted.

Photographs show a front door was damaged and windows were smashed in the altercation.

The incident caused his wife such distress that she now suffers from panic attacks and waits in her car for Adam to finish work to avoid going inside the building on her own.

A door had been damaged and windows were smashed in one incident (Image: NQ)

Again, Adam says police dropped the case because of a lack of evidence while FCHO said it was unable to take action after failing to identify the "unknown group of youths".

After reports someone was 'stabbed' in his building, Adam said he was driven to physically appear before the housing association to state his case.

In emails seen by The Oldham Times, FCHO told Adam he required a letter from Greater Manchester Police, detailing how his life is in "grave and immediate danger" and that he would be "killed" if he were to return or stay in his home.

The housing association told Adam that his evidence is "not enough" to consider relocating him.

However, Adam said officers refused his request for a letter as all three of his reports had been dropped due to insufficient evidence.

More images of vomit and urine in the stairwell (Image: NQ)

He said: "These things keep happening and I'm just stuck in the middle.

"There aren't witnesses or CCTV and people on the estate don't like speaking to police because they're scared of what will happen to them if they do.

"Other people have been moved from our landing, for mice and all sorts, and not one of them has been asked for a letter from GMP.

"Nowhere in FCHO's policy does it say I need a letter from police that I'm at immediate risk."

The Oldham Times understands 'threat to life' warnings from police are based on intelligence and when an individual is at imminent risk of harm.

Such letters cannot be requested from the force, but Greater Manchester Police does collaborate with housing associations and local authorities to find shelter for residents who are in imminent danger.

Still, Adam says he fears for his life and that the environment is adversely impacting his mental health.

When he told FCHO of how Barlow House is affecting him, a letter advised him to book an appointment with his GP - a comment Adam says is evidence of their "condescending" attitude.

He currently seeks private treatment for his mental health but said it isn't "going anywhere because the main issue at hand is still a problem".

Blood splatters on the floor (Image: NQ)

When he complained to FCHO about some of his calls with "uncaring" representatives, another letter issued £50 in compensation for their "lack of empathy" towards him.

He added: "It's like they've got no one to answer to. They can do whatever they like. They can make up policies."

Adam is now at his wit's end trying to relocate his family somewhere safe and sanitary.

The resident said: "What is it that they are waiting for? Are they waiting for me to get stabbed?

"We moved here when I was in the midst of a mental health crisis - this seemed like a resolution.

"I feel like it's my fault for not researching or asking people [about Barlow House], but I thought I'd be safe.

"I thought there's no way First Choice Homes can move me to a place which can be this bad.

"I wish I could just get out and get a mortgage but that's so difficult.

"I'm the sort of person that holds back on my feelings but it does make me well up inside when I think about it because my wife's breaking down, my little boy's been in tears.

"I feel like I'm at war and that my life is on the line.

"I'm trying my best at work, trying not to leave a bad impression or let all of it impact my job.

"It's just unimaginable that we, or anyone, could be in this sort of situation where a housing association does not care one bit whatsoever about its tenants.

"I put on a happy face but, inside, I feel like no one knows what's going on."

In response to the allegations, a First Choice Homes Oldham spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation reported by our customer, at Barlow House. We regret the challenges he has faced and fully understand the impact it is having on him."

The resident has raised his concerns with the housing ombudsman which FCHO understands is investigating his complaint.

The spokesperson added: "We want to assure the customer and all our tenants that their wellbeing is of paramount importance to us, and we are sorry about any issues the family may have faced when visiting Barlow House.

“We have investigated the complaints we have received and of the issues raised, those involving criminal activity and safety threats do fall under the jurisdiction of the Greater Manchester Police who we are working closely with.

"Our teams continue to work with Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council to address anti-social behaviour concerns."

It also said rehousing is managed by Oldham Council and that it has offered Adam assistance to "seek further support through them".

The statement continued:  "Whilst we understand the customer would like a ‘management move’ to another FCHO property, due to a severe shortage of available homes locally and in fairness to all applicants, exceptional circumstances have to be met for this.

“We work with our partners including Greater Manchester Police to gather evidence and assess each case on an individual basis and will always look at ways to support the customer to find a resolution.

“We remain committed to providing a safe environment for all residents and will continue to work with the relevant authorities to resolve concerns.” 

Oldham Council declined the opportunity to comment and Greater Manchester Police did not respond before this article was published.

Have you got a problem with your housing association or landlord? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk