Camberwell family forced out of home after housing association failed to fix sewage leak for six years

A family from Camberwell have been forced out of their home after their ceiling fell in because of a sewage leak.

Amina Abdi, 46, reported the damp patches in her flat on Southampton Way in 2015 – but nothing was done until the start of 2021.

Hexagon Housing Association replaced plaster and painted over damaged areas at the beginning of the year, but did not fix the source of the problem.

This led to Ms Adbi’s ceiling falling in last month.

Ms Abdi and her son, Mohamed, have been staying with friends and family since August 18.

Both suffer from health problems, which they worry have been made worse by the sewage and mould in the flat.

Ms Abdi said: “We all know this isn’t even the first instance of London social housing cutting corners to save money, with the recent Grenfell tragedy, but it doesn’t seem like they are changing their ways.

“The cost savings they believe they are creating by building these substandard homes are totally false when the cost of people’s lives and compensation are calculated.

“There needs to be a shift in attitude towards social housing in London, otherwise we need a change in leadership.”

The family were offered temporary accommodation by the housing association, but it was not possible for them to move there as it was too far from Mohamed’s school.

Ms Abdi, who has arthritis, also has to return to the flat each day to empty buckets which are catching the leaks.

Mohamed, who suffers from allergies, currently has a severe reaction on both hands.

A spokesman from Hexagon Homes said: “Hexagon takes resident’s safety and the condition of their homes extremely seriously. 

“On this occasion it is unfortunate that Ms Abdi has had to be temporarily rehoused due to the damage to her ceiling caused by an unexpected leak from neighbouring flats. 

“Hexagon and its contractors have been working with great urgency to trace and stop the leak from these flats and we will work hard to ensure the situation is fully resolved and Ms Abdi’s  home is safe to live in again. 

“In the meantime, Hexagon continues to liaise with Ms Abdi and we deeply regret any inconvenience caused  to her as a result of this unfortunate incident.”