'People are sufferingwe need change'

Social housing is under major pressure in Stockport and some think a controversial arms length arrangement is part of the problem. Joseph Timan and Declan Carey report on a growing crisis

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"WE'VE had all sorts of problems," David Robinson says, standing next to an empty patch of wall in his home.

The area had been left covered in mould, and after claiming to have battled the issue for years, he felt he had no choice but to remove it himself.

David's home, on Gipsy Lane, is managed by a social housing provider called Stockport Homes.

He lives there with wife Lucy and her mother Pamela. They moved into the house four years ago and he claims they've experienced several issues with the company.

When he reported the ripped wallpaper to Stockport Homes, the family were told a plasterer had been arranged but after waiting all day the trades person never turned up.

Another incident happened two years ago, when the family say they were sent to Blackpool and put up in a caravan for a week while their bathroom was repaired - but they claim there are still issues with it now.

Stockport Homes apologised to the family and rescheduled the plasterer for February 10, having previously told David they could not come until June. Workers attended the property on the date to do the plastering and returned the next day to complete it, the company said.

It added that plumbers had completed repairs on January 27 and that, as far as they are aware, all issues with the bathroom have now been resolved.

They also said they carried out some work last year following reports of damp and mould.

A spokesperson from the firm told the M.E.N., that it 'completely understands how frustrating this must be for Mr. Robinson and his family, and that it is 'sorry for any inconvenience they've experienced! But David's story is one example from a seemingly growing number of residents who are reporting problems with Stockport Homes.

The company manages more than 12,000 properties in the borough and is owned by the council, but operates independently as an arms-length management organisation (ALMO).