Protesters voice concerns about unsafe living conditions at Notting Hill Genesis housing association

Protest Outside Notting Hill Genesis Headquarters Over Housing Conditions

Members of the London Renters Union (LRU) recently staged a protest outside the head office of Notting Hill Genesis, a housing association, to demand action on long-standing issues with housing conditions.

Alva Gotby, an LRU organiser, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that Notting Hill Genesis and the union need to sit down together and discuss the repairs to ensure a safe home for tenants and their families. The LRU is demanding that Notting Hill Genesis agrees to a timeline for essential safety repairs.

One of the tenants at the forefront of the protest is Sameera Hashi, a LRU member and tenant of Notting Hill Genesis. Hashi has reported a growing list of problems in her home, including issues with the shower, heating, stove, bathroom sink, floor, and more. These issues have allegedly gone unaddressed despite repeated complaints.

The LRU's concerns are not isolated. According to Citizens Advice, 2.7 million households face damp, mould, or excessively cold homes in England. One in four privately rented homes in England fail to meet the decent homes standard.

Last year, the death of Awaab Ishak highlighted the public health crisis resulting from England’s hazardous housing. The incident has brought attention to the need for housing associations to prioritise tenant wellbeing over their bottom line. Gotby criticised Notting Hill Genesis for this very issue, stating that tenants should not be forced to become sick due to their housing conditions.

Notting Hill Genesis was originally founded to tackle slum housing, but the LRU accuses it of creating more unsafe conditions. In May, tenants spoke out about the severe health impact of squalid conditions in Notting Hill Genesis' properties across Brent. Residents have previously raised concerns about dangerous conditions, and in August, the housing ombudsman found severe maladministration in Notting Hill Genesis' management of a property with unsafe windows.

Despite these findings, Notting Hill Genesis has not publicly provided specific timeframes or detailed schedules for the required safety repairs to meet the demands of the London Renters Union. The housing association is headed by former Foxtons CEO Patrick Franco and generates a turnover of £728m, including a £106m surplus.

The LRU's protests and demands for action highlight the need for housing associations like Notting Hill Genesis to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their tenants. The Union hopes that through dialogue, they can work towards ensuring that all tenants have a safe and healthy home.

Priscilla Gyamfi, pictured in the article, is one of the many tenants hoping for change. She and others like her are counting on the housing association to take their concerns seriously and make the necessary repairs to ensure their homes are safe and livable.

Protesters voice concerns about unsafe living conditions at Notting Hill Genesis housing association