The death of two year old Awaab Ishak, who died shortly after his birthday in December 2020, was caused by mould in his home.

A coroner has concluded that Awaab Ishak died after suffering from a severe respiratory condition that was caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his flat.Despite his father raising the issue with Rochdale Boroughwide (RBH) multiple times, no action was taken. The two year old died shortly after his second birthday in December 2020.Coroner Joanne Kearsley said Rochdale Boroughwide failed to be proactive.

"How in the UK in 2020 does a two year old child die as a result of exposure to mould?," she asked.She added: "This issue is not simply a Rochdale problem, nor is damp and mould simply a social housing problem, it is a significant issue in private sector too."There is little doubt that the tragic death of Awaab Ishak will and should be a defining moment for the housing sector.

"The family of Awaab said in a statement: "We cannot tell you how many health professionals we've cried in front of and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing staff we have pleaded to, expressing concern for the conditions ourselves and Awaab have been living in."We shouted out as loudly as we could, but despite making all of those efforts, every night we would be coming back to the same problem.

We don't feel Rochdale Boroughwide Housing actually cared about us."Accusing RBH of racism, they added: "Rochdale Boroughwide Housing we have a message for you - stop discriminating, stop being racist, stop providing unfair treatment to people coming from abroad who are refugees or asylum seekers, stop housing people in homes you know are unfit for human habitation."