It’s been very sad to hear about what tenants and residents at Solomon’s Passage in Peckham Rye have been going through after they were told by their housing association Wandle that they would have to leave their homes.
Just 3 weeks ago, the 85 families who live in Solomon's Passage, overlooking Peckham Rye, heard the devastating news that they’ll all have to leave their homes because of fundamental defects in the blocks built only 6 years ago. 2 blocks will have to be refurbished and the residents will have to move out. And 2 blocks are so badly built they’ll have to be demolished. Families face months of uncertainty.
I met with them today to offer my help as they face an anxious and uncertain future. Peckham Rye Councillor Renata Hamvas was also at Solomon’s Passage and pledged her support for her constituents. It was clear from everyone I spoke to that trust is a really big issue for everyone at Solomon’s Passage and Wandle really need to work to rectify this.
On Monday, I will be meeting with Wandle officials to discuss:
- Their support for a new Tenants and Residents Association
- Inviting the Wandle board to visit and meet the residents
- Identifying a senior Wandle and Wandle board member to liaise with residents
- Individual contracts for each resident setting out Wandle’s commitment for their future housing
- Fair valuations for those with shared-ownership
- Compensation for past problems on repair/maintenance
- Full transparency on all documentation and reports (except where between Wandle and their lawyers)
If necessary, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Department of Communities and Local Government must help Wandle deal with this unprecedented construction failure.