Neighbours claim “rouge occupants” of a flat complex are bringing prostitution, drug dealing and even human waste to the streets of a leafy suburb.
Sensory Housing Trust specialises accommodates people experiencing homelessness, dealing with abusive family circumstances and struggling with mental health problems
But local residents claim a 10-flat building run by the trust in Glendale Road is spewing a host of anti-social behaviour and crime into the well-to-do area of Ellesmere Park, in Eccles, Greater Manchester.
Neighbours say the problems are caused by tenants at the house of multiple occupation (HMO).
Complaints made include sex workers using the property, drug dealing, fighting, verbal abuse and dog attacks, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The list goes on with cannabis use reported and filth strewn around the property, including human waste. There have also reportedly been homeless people living in derelict garages and worries about knife crime and load music played into the early hours.
Neighbours, and one resident living in the HMO itself, told Manchester Evening News’ Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of multiple visits to the property by police, often at night.
But Sensory Housing Trust director Susan Kaur, who is also a psychotherapist, said many of the problems stemmed from a broken system supporting housing for those in need.
She said: “The system [of housing vulnerable people in communities] is totally broken.
“I didn’t realise when I got into the business of housing these people how bad the legal system is. I have been powerless to prevent this from happening and have had little to no help from the other agencies involved, including the police and the [Salford] council.”
Ms Kaur said that eight of the tenants in the large Victorian property have been housed at the request of Salford’s neighbouring councils, Manchester and Trafford.
She said: “But the responsibility for what’s happening there lies with Salford city council.”
A Salford city council spokesperson said a community protection notice was served on the flat in April 2023.
“We are aware of complaints from residents and continuing to work with the agency which manages the tenancies of the building.
“We are also working with our partners which includes Greater Manchester Police, the local MP [Rebecca Long-Bailey] and local councillors, to listen to the concerns of residents to find a solution that suits all parties.”
Meanwhile, one neighbour who did not wish to be named said airgun shots had been fired at her home and showed the pellet marks in the rendering on the wall.
She said: “The HMO is a den of iniquity that no one seems to be taking responsibility for, we live in beautiful harmony round here [with other neighbours].
“But people have been put here with special needs with no supervision. They’ve put people in there with drug problems and all sorts of other issues, but no one is checking on them. There seems to be a rogue element there.”
One of the residents of the HMO is a 25-year-old woman who was housed there after suffering family abuse. She says she has been the victim of an assault by one of the other tenants with court proceedings pending.
Another resident of the HMO is said to have a pit bull-type dog which has attacked another dog and several people.
One person said: “The police are here four or five times a week, but nothing seems to be getting done to solve this problem. It’s unbelievable that this allowed to carry on.”
Sergeant Paul Mottram, from Greater Manchester Police’s Salford district, said: “The Neighbourhood Team at Eccles has been investigating a number of reports of anti-social behaviour at a property in Eccles. At least one person has been arrested under suspicion in relation to these matters.
“We fully investigated reports of an air gun being fired, but no evidence has linked it to the incidents raised regarding the anti-social behaviour.
“We have been working closely with Salford city council and the housing provider, Sensory Housing, to address the matter and prevent further incidents from occurring. In addition, we are meeting with the residents, councillors and the council this month to discuss their concerns, and provide advice and solutions to any queries they may have.”
