‘Croydon Council shame on you’ chanted through streets after shocking living conditions exposed

By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter

Dozens of concerned residents took to the streets chanting “Croydon Council, shame on you” – as part of a protest against poor housing conditions on Wednesday night.

The South Norwood protesters marched in support of the residents of Regina Road, a Croydon Council-owned block of flats that shocked when an ITV News expose aired recently.

The footage showed shocking living conditions, including thick black mould and dripping wet floors.

An independent investigation revealed that the major issues were a result of a water leak that was first reported to Croydon Council in 2017.

The damning report found that the authority had failed to deliver core housing services and found that council staff and it’s maintenance contractor Axis were not treating residents with respect.

The council now says it has carried out “many repairs with more scheduled” but residents gathered outside 1-87 Regina Road last night, claiming they are still not being listened to and repairs haven’t materialised.

Rebecca Williams has lived in one of the three blocks in Regina Road for 16 years – she is part of the Regina Road Residents Support Group.

She said: “I stopped getting in touch with the council because they don’t listen. I had a leaking sink in my bathroom for three months before anything was done.

“Axis are easy to contact but they will tell us we don’t have problems, they leave us with leaks for three months.”

The 38-year-old doesn’t live in the block with the worst conditions but fears it is deteriorating.

She added: “I think our block is getting worse, I don’t know what they are waiting for. I worry about the building and the damp getting worse.”

Dominika Gawaluch has lived in one of the three towers for five years with her sons who are 10 and eight years old.

When she first moved to Regina Road she was told it would be temporary – her oldest son was at school in Purley at the time which meant an almost two hour round-trip to school every day.

“If I didn’t accept the flat I would have become voluntarily homeless,” said the mum.

Luckily her flat is in good condition, she says, although mould does start building up in the bathroom.

Dominika added: “I am in a disabled friendly flat which I don’t need, I told the council about it because I feel bad that someone else could use it but they said loads of people are in accessible flats that don’t need them.”

Protestors made their way from Regina Road down High Street to Norwood Junction Station and back with children leading at the front with a Regina Road Residents Support Group banner.

A woman who lives in South Norwood but asked not to be named said: “I work in housing and I would be horrified if I saw [the conditions] I would be making an emergency call to decant people.

“I know some people have been decanted but they haven’t started the work. It is shameful that nothing has been done.”

Local man Des Over came out to support residents of Regina Road, he was shocked to see the conditions his neighbours were living in.

He said: “I think it is disgraceful, I was surprised. I deliver for Sainsbury’s and have delivered to the flats, I never knew what was behind those doors.”

A Croydon Council spokesperson said it is currently undertaking staff training to improve customer service and response on repairs as well as commissioning a survey of all high rise blocks in the borough and setting up a tenants board.

They said: “We have knocked on every door and sent letters to every household in the Regina Road estate so we can help residents with both their immediate and wider concerns, and we have carried out many repairs with more scheduled.

“As well as helping anyone needing urgent support to move or have repairs done, we have begun a major piece of work to improve our housing service and ensure all our council residents will see lasting housing improvements and feel cared for and listened to.”