Young families on an Essex housing estate struggle with damp and mold. They are in homes with ongoing disrepair issues.
Sarah Shepherd, residing in Skelter Steps, struggles without hot water, as her heating has been broken for six months. Black mold has grown beneath her baby’s cot. The 23-year-old, with a four-month-old and two other children aged one and two, moved in 2023 and has faced numerous issues.
Shepherd reported an immediate kitchen flood, with sewage coming up through pipes. Her two-year-old uses steroids for eczema. A leak occurred over Christmas, leaving her ceiling contaminated with sewage for five weeks. Her daughter’s ceiling has a large hole and mold, resulting in ruined clothes.
Tasha Colley, 24, lives in Lantern Terrace with her eight-year-old son, who has ADHD and autism, along with two daughters aged six and two. Mold has been a persistent problem since she moved in, with workers simply covering it up, only for it to reappear. The mold affects her children’s bedrooms, and her daughter has had 14 chest infections, which doctors suspect are related to the room’s condition.
Clark described the situation as awful, stating he has never witnessed anything like it. After speaking with many Kursaal residents, he found that Estuary Housing has neglected repairs. He emphasized that nobody should lack heating, noting that residents are forced to wear coats inside and that it is heartbreaking to see them living in such conditions.
Estuary Housing acknowledges the mold, heating, and water issues and states they will resolve these two cases and that they have received formal complaints and are investigating them. They maintain that they take mold reports seriously, work with customers to find solutions, and strive to provide safe and comfortable homes.
Matt Dent, a Labour councillor representing the Kursaal ward, vowed to help residents. He said Estuary Housing manages homes and he will support residents and will work to make improvements to their living conditions.
Dent expressed his concern about housing issues in the Woodgrange Drive Estate and his belief that good living conditions are essential for all residents. He wants everyone to have them and believes nobody deserves to live with these issues. He has contact with Estuary Housing, to fix problems quickly. Finally, he wants residents to contact him, so can help resolve their problems.