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Fungal ‘health hazard' no fun

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Adrian Campbell of Hamilton Pk, Ballymoney pointing out the damp stains at his back door.

A BALLYMONEY man who suffers from arthritis has contacted this newspaper in a last ditch attempt to sort out his damp housing problems.
Adrian Campbell said he has exhausted all other avenues in his quest for a dry home and feels like he has been left with no choice but to go public.
He claimed his appeals to the Housing Executive and local Council has fallen on deaf ears and that after several attempts to get the problems rectified, he is still waking up to wet windows and slimy walls every day.
Speaking to The Chronicle, Adrian told how he has recently been diagnosed with extensive arthritis in his back and how one of his children has to take two inhalers a day after being confirmed as borderline asthmatic.
Adrian said, "When we moved into this house there was solid fuel heating. We never had any problems then. But in 2005 the Housing Executive converted it to oil heating and we've had nothing but heartache since.
“The kitchen is black with damp, there is green fungus growing up the side of our back door, it's a total health hazard."The damp isn't the only problem, I have been fighting for the past six years for a new kitchen. Every time I think we may be getting close to a solution I'm told there's no money in the budget or the dates change. The last meeting I had with the Housing Executive they told me my kitchen would go in this summer, 'budget allowing'.
“The condensation in the mornings is just awful. I have to wipe the windowsills steady, that's just not good for my family's health. I have had visits from members of the Housing Executive who commented that it was a 'design flaw' as there was nothing in place to circulate the air.
“I have also had a visit from an Environmental Health person from Ballymoney Borough Council who advised me to bleach my walls, open my windows or buy a dehumidifier...it's a joke.
“Why would I put the heat on and have the windows open? What I want to know is that when the rent is paid every week, why I should be out the expense of a dehumidifier?
“I worry about the health of my children, my own arthritis won't be helped by being in such a damp environment either."
Frustration
Adrian said the frustrating thing about the lack of concern over his house, is that clearly other areas are being catered for. He added, "I recently seen correspondence from Dixon contractors saying they were being brought in on behalf of the Housing Executive to do some 'cyclic maintenance' in the Alexandra Avenue area. The sickening thing is that a few years ago some work was being carried out in the Glebe area and they started in the same place - by the time they got to us in Hamilton Park, the money was done and we're still left sitting in houses which are needing work done.
However, a spokesperson for the Housing Executive said, "The Housing Executive is aware of Mr. Campbell's concerns regarding damp in his home. Our inspections, including checks using a damp meter, indicate that the problem relates to condensation and we have offered advice on dealing with this. We understand that an inspection by an Environmental Health Officer concurs with our findings.
“Homes in Hamilton Park are included in our current programmes, subject to funding, for kitchen replacement later this summer and for double glazing where there is not already in place in a contract scheduled for late Spring.
“Properties in Hamilton Park are also included in the second phase of an external maintenance programme, the contract for the first phase has recently been awarded with the second phase scheduled, funding permitting, for autumn this year."

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