Wiltshire mum living in 'rotting' home concerned for family's health

Gina Baker and her family are among dozens of residents who were due to be moved out of their homes on Leylands Road, in Rudloe, by housing association GreenSquareAccord.

These plans fell through nearly a year ago leaving the family trapped in a home they previously branded “dangerous”.

The mum of three said severe black mould has been a feature of the property since 2018, and her 2-year-old daughter was recently rushed to hospital with “respiratory issues”.

She said: “It’s a major worry because I woke up and she was barely breathing, if I’d missed that it could have been completely different.

READ MORE: Families 'trapped in rotting homes' as hopes of relocation snatched away

Mould in Ms Baker's home last year (Image: Gina Baker)

“I just want them to understand how serious this is, it wasn’t good at all and has impacted my mental health because I’m so paranoid I barely slept for a week.

“I’m trying to juggle two other children while she’s ill, it’s likely she’s going to end up asthmatic.”

While GreenSquareAccord said it is working to resolve the long-term issue, Ms Baker is desperate to be rehoused.

She added: “We don’t want compensation, we just want to get out to help my children’s health.”

Plans to relocate residents in the area were scrapped by GreenSquareAccord last June.

The housing association said regeneration plans for its Rudloe properties became unviable following a redesign, prompted by a dispute over the demolition of the nearby community centre.

This reportedly had “considerable cost implications”.

Since then, GreenSquareAccord said it has been working with her to improve the property.

The Rudloe Community Centre (Image: Trevor Porter)

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A spokesperson said: “We are sorry Ms Baker is continuing to experience issues in her home.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority, and we take reports of damp and mould very seriously.

“We have been working closely with her to tackle the problem of condensation and mould spotting in the home.

“This includes completing several repairs identified by our surveyor, including installing new wall fans in her kitchen and bathroom which help to reduce condensation and prevent mould.

“We are also going to install cavity wall insulation in Ms Baker’s home on Monday, May 27.

“Our healthy homes advisor has already visited Ms Baker's home to offer advice and support and they have another visit planned on Wednesday, June 12, to ensure the problem has been resolved.”