Kay Antar, a father of two living in southeast London, has been speaking out about the deplorable conditions of his council flat, where mushrooms have begun growing from the bathroom floor. He shares the flat with his two teenage daughters and believes that the conditions are making him and his family ill. The flat is plagued by issues such as mould and dampness around the windows in the bedroom, bathroom, and living room. Ceilings have collapsed multiple times due to leaks, and Mr. Antar’s asthmatic daughter often struggles to breathe at night due to the mould.
Having been housed in the one-bedroom flat by Greenwich Council in 2013 when his marriage broke down, Mr. Antar accepted the property despite the evident damp and mould due to his desperate situation. In 2018, he was granted full custody of his daughters and had to give up his job as a utilities broker to care for them. The living situation is overcrowded, with his children having to share a room, and despite being assessed for severe overcrowding, they have been told it could be another two to four years before they can be rehoused.
The dire conditions of the council flat are taking a toll on Mr. Antar and his daughters’ health. His youngest daughter’s asthma has worsened since moving in, and Mr. Antar himself has experienced a resurgence of his childhood asthma since residing in the flat. The moisture issues have caused clothes to become mouldy, leading to frequent disposal of items. The flat has a history of leaks, with the kitchen ceiling recently collapsing due to a hole in the roof. Despite complaints to the council, repairs have been delayed, further exacerbating the family’s living conditions.
The council has responded to Mr. Antar’s complaints by acknowledging the situation and scheduling repairs to address the roof, guttering, and kitchen issues. They have visited the property multiple times and carried out some initial repairs, with further work planned for the near future. Mr. Antar has also raised concerns about the impact on his and his daughters’ health as a result of the poor living conditions, with symptoms such as palpitations and breathing difficulties becoming more frequent.
The pressing need for better housing conditions for Mr. Antar and his family highlights the challenges faced by many individuals living in council accommodation. The prolonged exposure to mould and dampness can have serious health implications, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. By sharing his story, Mr. Antar hopes to draw attention to the need for urgent action and improved support for families living in substandard housing. The council’s commitment to addressing the repairs is a positive step, but more needs to be done to ensure that families like Mr. Antar’s are provided with safe and healthy living environments.
