After issuing an apology earlier in the year to residents on the Eastfields estate in Mitcham over a number of failings, Clarion Housing Group need to step up and fix the squalid conditions that residents are still living in, says local London Assembly Member, Leonie Cooper.
After an ITV expose found slum-like conditions, Clarion pledged to regenerate the estate, with an aim to rehome residents. However Clarion admitted that this work could take years, and it has recently been reported that their regeneration programme could result in a huge financial loss. Residents on this estate, and in a number of other Clarion properties throughout the borough are still living in dire conditions.
Some properties were overrun by rats, mice, cockroaches while leaks gone unfixed and there were even reports of asbestos in some cases.
Since Clarion’s pledge to improve their services and communications, residents have been shocked to see the staggering bonus awarded to the CEO of the housing group, whilst they continue to endure sub-standard housing.
Local Assembly Member, Leonie Cooper AM, said:
“Clarion’s pledge to re-engage and rebuild trust with residents back in June after shocking conditions on the Eastfields Estate were revealed was welcome. But since then Clarion residents across Morden, and indeed across London, have seen little to no improvement in their living conditions, despite the housing association’s pledge.
“Understandably, residents have felt further put out by the scale of Clarion’s £100 million surplus as reported recently, as well as the bonus awarded to the CEO.
“We need to see real action and responsibility from Clarion on this. It is not just what residents deserve, it is vital to their health and wellbeing. I hope Clarion will continue to engage with their tenants and with local representatives, to really understand what needs to be done to improve life for residents.
“My thoughts are with residents across Merton, particularly those on the Eastfields, High Path and Ravensbury Estates.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- The ITV news report on the Eastfields Estate can be found here;
- An article referencing the bonus received by the CEO of Clarion Housing Group can be found here
- An article regarding Clarion’s mid-year surplus can be found here
- Leonie Cooper AM is the London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth
For more information, please contact Labour Group Press Officer, Amy Lee, on 07729625983. Number not for publication.