From left: residents Pat Roberts, Maureen Roberts, Jenny Gordon, the Rev Simon Harvey, Sidney Rodwell, Nick Welsh and Jackie Hughes
A NEWLY formed residents’ group is fighting back against the potential demolition of their homes because of damp.
Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA), which owns and manages the 114 properties in the St Mary’s Path estate, off Upper Street, has come under fire in recent months accused of trying to knock down an entire estate to deal with damp. The majority of residents don’t think damp is a big enough problem to knock down and rebuild their homes.
A statement signed by 94 tenants addressed to ISHA’s chief executive Clare Thomson has called for a “case by case” approach, not a “one-size-fits all” solution. It says: “We welcome improvements to our living conditions but want the board to choose options that allow improvements without making us all move from our homes or greatly increasing our rents.”
The Tribune understands the future of the estate will be decided at an ISHA board meeting on March 22 with residents finding out the outcome later that month. Results from a damp survey of five of the six blocks are due to be presented to residents later this month.
