Six-year Rochdale Boroughwide Housing employee shared: “The culture was repulsive. It was hostile and poisonous for the personnel. It serves no use whatsoever.”
Two former employees of the housing association that oversaw the apartment in which Awaab Ishak’s death was caused by mold have stated that the organization had a “toxic and bullying culture” that could result in the deaths of additional people.
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) manages about 12,000 residences in the region.
Two former RBH employees who departed due to the company’s culture informed us that renters are suffering due to the poor quality of housing.
Its chief executive, Gareth Swarbrick, was fired on Saturday, with the association’s board announcing his dismissal with “immediate effect.”
Dave (not his real name), a former RBH employee of six years, told: “The culture was repulsive. It was hostile and poisonous for the personnel. It serves no function whatsoever. It is intended to be operated as a charity for the benefit of the renters, however, this is not the case.”
In 2017, when Awaab’s parents complained about their moldy and damp apartment, Dave was working in the association’s phone center.
“All the employees were instructed to inform callers to open the trickle vents on their windows, ventilate their homes, and turn on the heating,” he explained.
The blatant disdain for the tenants and cost-cutting was quite heartbreaking, to be honest.
Association is a form of racism
The parents of Awaab, who fled Sudan to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, alleged that the housing association was racist.
Dave stated that he concurs with them. “In my opinion, that is racist,” he stated. “It’s sad to say but it is.”
RBH denied his assertion: “We are not a racist organization, but we acknowledge that incorrect assumptions were made regarding Awaab. We are moving swiftly to evaluate our existing strategy and identify necessary modifications.”
Dave asserted that there is only one way to prevent another disaster. He stated, “I believe there will be more fatalities due to the absence of maintenance.”
“I believe the only way tenants will be protected is if RBH is shut down and retaken by the city government.”
Another colleague who resigned this year did so after learning how and why Awaab had passed away.
Julie (not her real name) asserted that management “covered it up” and did not inform employees of the incident.
She stated: “I anticipated that RBH will eventually make headlines due to its deteriorating condition. I merely hoped it wasn’t due to the demise of a person, especially a tenant. Worse still, it was a young boy.”
Julie added: “What they were doing simply wasn’t right. They were talking one thing while doing another, which was immoral in my eyes.”
Regarding the culture of RBH, Julie remarked: “It was toxic, and people got away with treating employees whatever they pleased, particularly those who questioned choices. They would be punished. In the end, it did nothing more than instill terror throughout the organization.”
Two-year-old Awaab passed away in December 2020. This month, a coroner’s inquest determined that he died due to extended exposure to mold and dampness in unsuitable housing provided by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.
The coroner stated that this should be a defining moment for the social housing industry.
RBH said it was “We are a tenant- and employee-owned cooperative organization with a solid set of core principles,” the spokesperson said, adding, “We are saddened that two former employees have alleged a culture of bullying.” Our culture is characterized by cooperation and reciprocity.”
