Elderly Woman’s Home Plagued by Mold, Asbestos, and Health Concerns

Aileen Waugh’s Forced Christmas Stay Away from Home

Aileen Waugh, a 54-year-old grandmother, had to vacate her residence in Winford, Salford, due to severe damp and mould issues. She had reported the problem persistently, citing concerns about its impact on her health.

Failed Attempt to Fix the Issue

Despite a scheduled intervention by her housing association, ForHousing, beginning on December 8 to rectify the damp and mould problems, Aileen returned from a two-week stay at a hotel to find her home still plagued by black mould.

Health Impact and Previous Home Incidents

Aileen, battling osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, and other health issues, expressed worry about the impact of these housing conditions on her well-being.

She revealed previous incidents where floorboards collapsed due to dampness, causing her bath and couch to fall through.

Concerns about Asbestos and Health

Further concerns arose as Aileen discovered asbestos in her home. Despite the low-grade assessment by ForHousing, she remains worried about its effects on her health, especially given her existing medical conditions.

Incomplete and Unsatisfactory Repairs

Aileen’s return revealed unsatisfactory repairs—limited work done in only one room and on one wall of another.

She described visible black mould, dampness behind wallpaper, and disruptions to her living conditions, including dismantled shelving and extensive plaster dust.

Impact on Family and Accessibility Issues

The situation impacted her family, especially her daughter with ADHD, who found the state of the house distressing. Moreover, Aileen faced accessibility challenges during her hotel stay, exacerbating her physical pain due to the assigned room’s location.

Response from ForHousing and Planned Actions

ForHousing acknowledged Aileen’s grievances and assured additional repairs to address her concerns.

Nigel Sedman, Executive Director of Homes at ForHousing, expressed regret over the situation and promised to continue working with Aileen and her family to ensure a safe and secure living environment.

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