Almost 1,200 Bolton homes are in line for improvements after the biggest of the borough's housing associations and other housing associations received a slice of multi-million-pound pot.
The funding to tackle damp and mould was announced by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and was allocated on the basis of bids to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Among the bidders were Bolton at Home, the biggest of the borough's housing associations, and other housing associations, with the allocation of the multi-million-pound pot determined by the severity of the issues in their stock. Bolton at Home received the funding to tackle damp and mould at 934 homes and 1,178 homes are in line for improvements in total.
In an interview with the Bolton News this year Noel Sharpe, chief executive of Bolton At Home, said damp and mould was one of the biggest challenges for the organisation after the death of Awaab Ishak from a condition contracted in a home owned by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing sent shockwaves through Greater Manchester and across the UK in 2020.
READ MORE: Bolton at Home CEO on damp and mould after death of Awaab Ishak.
After the announcement Ms Sharpe said: "We are delighted to be awarded a portion of this money to make improvements which will help to address the causes of damp and mould in homes.
“For us, this work is likely to include enhanced insulation, improved ventilation systems, and upgraded heating systems with the aim of creating healthier, more comfortable homes for residents."
READ MORE: Bolton at Home CEO's devastation as Robert Alton discovered dead.
Hamid Khurram, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: "Everyone has the right to live in a safe, comfortable, and healthy home, free from the dangers problems like damp and mould can create.
"This funding is welcome and it will go a long way to preventing a problem that has rightly become a high-profile issue in recent months.
"I note Bolton at Home was awarded one of the largest grants among providers in Greater Manchester.
"This is testament to both the quality of their bid and to their commitment to providing their residents with the highest quality housing."
The Bolton News has reported on a number of cases where tenants have complained about damp problems.
This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel