Call for a tenant's charter for Croydon

Call for a tenant’s charter for Croydon

Following Croydon Council’s announcement yesterday to launch a full inquiry and review of conditions in all their high-rise blocks, I have called for a reassessment of social housing provision in Croydon, including the development of a tenant’s charter

Yesterday, after the ITV News report into the conditions of properties at Regina Road, Croydon Council has launched a full inquiry to establish how this was allowed to happen. The immediate inquiry is being overseen by Sarah Hayward, the council’s interim executive director of Place, however, it will be transferred to an external, independent investigator as soon as possible. The council will also be reviewing the conditions in all of their high-rise blocks as a matter of urgency.

I am pleased that the Council has launched a full investigation into what happened and that they will be reviewing the conditions in all of their high-rise blocks. The horrific scenes reported on ITV has shocked the community – no one should have to live like that.

We know there is an underlying and fundamental lack of affordable housing, but it is alarming that any tenants of the council could live in such horrific accommodation, despite so many attempts to get the Council to act.

I am calling for fundamental changes to improve our housing provision in Croydon and make sure that no one has to suffer such terrible living conditions again.

I am calling for:

A tenant’s charter of rights and responsibilities where tenants are equal partners with the council
An investigation into repairs and maintenance, including the conduct of Axis, the company contracted to carry out council housing repairs.
A new forum for people in temporary accommodation to raise concerns and seek advice
A review of how many other London boroughs are placing families in temporary accommodation in Croydon
A review of the housing association provision within the borough
A regular routine of walkabouts with Cllrs, MPs, housing officers, and the police across the borough

From the 3500 people who have asked for my help on housing issues since 2017, it is clear that the fundamental lack of affordable housing has driven the following 5 core areas of concern: