IT’S A DEN OF INIQUITY, BUT I’M POWERLESS,’ SAYS HOUSING TRUST BOSS

The boss of a housing trust for vulnerable people says she is powerless to prevent ‘rogue occupants’ of a 10-flat ‘den of iniquity’ from making life hell for neighbouring residents. 

Sensory Housing Trust specialises in accommodating people exiting homelessness, dealing with abusive family circumstances and struggling with mental health problems.

But its director Susan Kaur says that despite her ‘best efforts’ she has been unable to tackle the issues facing people living in Glendale Road in the leafy Ellesmere Park area of Eccles. 

Neighbouring residents say they are at their ‘wit’s end’ over the problems they claim are caused by tenants at the house of multiple occupation (HMO).

Complaints include prostitution, drug dealing, fighting, verbal abuse and intimidation, dog attacks, cannabis use, filth strewn around the property, including human waste, homeless people living in derelict garages, knife crime, and loud music being played through the night into the small hours of the morning.

Neighbours – and one resident living in the HMO itself – told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of multiple visits to the property by police, often at night.

Ms Kaur, who is also a psychotherapist, said: “The system [of housing vulnerable people in communities] is totally broken.

“I didn’t realise when I got into the business of housing these people how bad the legal system is. I have been powerless to prevent this from happening and have had little to no help from the other agencies involved, including the police and the [Salford] council.”

Ms Kaur said that eight of the tenants in the large Victorian property have been housed at the request of Salford’s neighbouring councils, Manchester and Trafford.

“But the responsibility for what’s happening there lies with Salford city council,” she said.

A Salford city council spokesperson said: “A community protection notice was served on the flat in April 2023.  We are aware of complaints from residents and continuing to work with the agency which manages the tenancies of the building. 

“We are also working with our partners which includes Greater Manchester Police, the local MP [Rebecca Long-Bailey] and local councillors, to listen to the concerns of residents to find a solution that suits all parties.”

Meanwhile, one neighbour who did not wish to be named said airgun shots had been fired at her home and showed the LDRS the pellet marks in the rendering on the wall.

“The HMO is a den of iniquity that no one seems to be taking responsibility for,” she said. “We live in beautiful harmony round here [with other neighbours].

“But people have been put here with special needs with no supervision. They’ve put people in there with drug problems and all sorts of other issues, but no one is checking on them. There seems to be a rogue element there.”

One of the residents of the HMO is a 25-year-old woman who was housed there after suffering family abuse. She says she has been the victim of an assault by one of the other tenants with court proceedings pending.

Another resident of the HMO is said to have a pit bull-type dog which has attacked another dog and several people.

One person said: “The police are here four or five times a week, but nothing seems to be getting done to solve this problem. It’s unbelievable that this allowed to carry on.”

Sergeant Paul Mottram, from Greater Manchester Police’s Salford district, said: “The Neighbourhood Team at Eccles has been investigating a number of reports of anti-social behaviour at a property in Eccles. At least one person has been arrested under suspicion in relation to these matters.

“We fully investigated reports of an air gun being fired, but no evidence has linked it to the incidents raised regarding the anti-social behaviour.

“We have been working closely with Salford city council and the housing provider, Sensory Housing, to address the matter and prevent further incidents from occurring. In addition, we are meeting with the residents, councillors and the council this month to discuss their concerns, and provide advice and solutions to any queries they may have.

“If any residents have information they wish to make us aware of, then they can call 101 directly to report information. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”