Social Housing Crisis: A Gran’s Struggle for a Safe Home

In an alarming case that highlights the state of social housing, 60-year-old grandmother Carol McGuinness has been advised by her doctor to leave her home due to health risks caused by severe disrepair. Carol, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory issues, and her son Michael, who has heart failure, have faced an appalling five-year battle with their housing association to address 58 issues in their Liverpool home. These include a rat infestation, mould, damp, leaks, faulty electrics, and structural cracks.

A Home Turned Hazard

Carol and Michael’s home has become a nightmare. Despite repeated complaints to the housing association, the property remains in a hazardous state. Repairs began but were never completed, leaving the family in a home deemed unsafe by Carol’s doctor. The ongoing issues have significantly impacted their mental and physical health, especially as they were forced to shield during the pandemic in such dire conditions.

When repairs were attempted, the family was temporarily moved to another property. However, this so-called “solution” turned out to be a former drug den with cages over the windows, unsafe electrics, and even an attempted burglary. Carol left after a month, moving in with her sister, while Michael endured the temporary accommodation for a year before returning to their unfit original home.

Legal Action and Broken Promises

After years of inaction, Carol and Michael sought legal assistance under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Their housing association, Your Housing Group, paid £2,000 in compensation and promised to complete repairs—a promise that remains unfulfilled. Michael describes the ongoing frustration: “Repairs they say they carried out haven’t been. There are tunnels outside the house allowing rodents in, and the housing association’s claim that they’ve filled them is false.”

A Broader Crisis in Social Housing

Cases like Carol’s are not isolated. CEL Solicitors, representing the family, states that vulnerable tenants often face similar struggles, with landlords failing to meet their legal obligations. Despite long-awaited social housing reforms announced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, implementation remains slow. The Charter for Social Housing Residents promises safe homes, respectful treatment, and robust landlord oversight, but systemic issues persist.

The chronic shortage of social housing exacerbates the problem. With 1.6 million households in England in need of social housing and only 6,000 new homes built in 2019-2020, campaigners like Shelter emphasise the urgent need for investment in new, quality homes.

The Human Cost

For Carol and Michael, the ongoing battle has taken a significant toll. Michael reveals, “I don’t sleep… My mental health and my mum’s have suffered greatly.” Their story is a stark reminder that behind the statistics are real people, forced to endure unsafe conditions and endless bureaucracy.

Holding Landlords Accountable

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act gives tenants a legal route to demand safe living conditions. CEL Solicitors continues to push for accountability, stating, “Housing associations are putting the most vulnerable at risk by delaying vital repairs. This is unacceptable, and we will continue to hold landlords to account.”

Your Housing Group has apologised and claims to be addressing new repair requests. However, for Carol and Michael, words and compensation cannot undo years of stress and unfulfilled promises.