Tahira Chakotai, or TJ, lives on the 14th floor of Canon Hussey Court on the Islington Estate, literally a stone's throw from all the posh new developments on Chapel Street.
TJ's list of physical and mental disabilities is alarming... "I have an auto-immune disorder, I have damaged leg and hips which can't be fixed because I have bad heart and uncontrolled epilepsy so I can't go under surgery... I have neurasthenia, which means that when I get distressed my heart rate goes above 150bpm and I'm at risk of a stroke or heart attack...I have tunnel vision in my left eye, dyspraxia and autism..."
TJ walks with a stick and, on bad days, has to use his mobility scooter which he can barely negotiate around the tight corridors and paths of Canon Hussey Court; indeed he has to get out of the scooter and lift it over a step to get into his top floor flat because Salix refuse to provide a ramp.
He walks with a stick and has permanently damaged legs following two nasty falls down the stairs at Canon Hussey, sustained when the lifts were out of service. Following these events, TJ almost became a prisoner in his own home when the lifts weren't working, were being refurbished or were blocked off by workmen's ladders serving the `eco-pod' on the roof after the block's `decent homes' makeover.
A medical assessment in August 2013 by Dr Richard Smith, and sent to Salix, stated clearly that "TJ's current living environment poses a clear and immediate risk to his health...
"...as someone with a number of disabilities I hope that TJ's accommodation status is reviewed immediately and changes are made in line with the Equality Act (2010) and the government's own autism strategy, Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, to find suitable accommodation that fits his needs as someone with numerous physical health mental health and neurodevelopmental needs" he added "...In TJ's case severe mental health problems could result, as well as suicide attempts, if his accommodation is not reviewed and changed as soon as possible."
Following this letter, in October last year, TJ was given a `management award for re-housing' by Salix and was invited to bid for a bungalow in a number of places, including the nearby Devine Close. However, when he bid for a property here, he was turned down as it was "age banded to people over 55 years old".
TJ put in a complaint citing discrimination under the Equality Act - `eligibility through disability' – but it was turned down by a Salix officer who wrote "I find that you have not been discriminated against by Salix Homes due to your disabilities nor has Salix Homes restricted the service or the support you receive as a result of your disability. Salix Homes have provided adequate assistance, support and reasonable adjustment to facilitate your move and to enable you to improve your living circumstances..."
"I took it to a Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaint" says TJ "Unfortunately, it was always the same letter...that they had not discriminated and to stop contacting them; it was harassment."
Meanwhile, a Salford Council Needs Assessment of TJ from November, seen by the Salford Star, stated "Salix Homes to offer alternate accommodation...if he were in more suitable accommodation he would be less stressed and hopefully his mental health would improve as his level of anxiety decreased..."
But the move still never happened. And in certain cases where the lift at Canon Hussey was out of order, TJ literally had to be carried up and down the stairs to his flat in order to do shopping or carry out his many volunteering duties in the community.
It wasn't until June this year when Councillor Paul Dennett, an Assistant Mayor, got involved, challenging Salix on its obligations under the Equality Act, that the social housing company changed its policies.
Dennett wrote to TJ - copying in the Salford Star and Salix – stating "I just want to assure you that the issue of the City Council's Housing Lettings/Allocations Policy (Choice-Based Lettings) being Equalities Act compliant has been taken seriously and I've previously received assurance from Salix Homes that this will be considered in the forthcoming review of the Housing Lettings/Allocations Policy.
"Also, just to let you know, I have also agreed to participate in the City Council's working group to review the Housing Lettings/Allocations Policy" he added "and I'm especially interested to know how the general and specific duties contained within the Equalities Act 2010 will be considered as part of the review and incorporated in any future policy."
Almost immediately, TJ was offered another property at Alexander Gardens.
"Councillor Dennett challenged Salix on their policies to do with bidding and implementing tenancies to people who are disabled" TJ explains "He wrote to Salix and said that their procedures for tenancy application is actually outside of the equality legislation. The Equality Act 2010 clearly states that you cannot discriminate on age.
"The policies were changed last year because it meant that people were getting a property based on their age and not their disability, therefore they were living in unsuitable accommodation, thus needing more support and costing councils even more money to keep them in the wrong dwelling" he adds "If you say `I don't want a person to live in a bungalow because they are not over 55 but they are severely disabled' that would be inappropriate. Because a councillor got involved they changed their policy."
At present, Salford Council remains the ultimate accountable body for Salix Homes and councillors can intervene on behalf of residents. If people vote `Yes' in the current ballot on stock transfer, this democratic right would be lost. Needless to say, TJ is voting `No'.
Unfortunately, this isn't the end of the story for TJ. He turned down the property he was offered in Alexander Gardens...
"It had rotten windows, asbestos exposed via the floor, and the wiring hadn't been tested which is a breach of installation regulations" he explains "Besides which, Alexander Gardens is being knocked down, although they've denied it."
In the formal Business Case for the stock transfer it clearly states "A number of key issues were identified in the study that highlighted the need for an option appraisal for Alexander Gardens, a 36 unit sheltered housing scheme. The study concluded that this is not an appropriate location for such a facility and recommends the consideration of redevelopment of the site to mitigate the flood risk."
So TJ is back to square one, living in an inappropriate flat on the top floor of a towerblock. This week he is in more pain, a slipped disc caused by trying to negotiate getting his mobility scooter into the property.
"I got home after being at the Mobility Shop in the Arndale" he says "I tried to turn my scooter around as there is no room to just drive it straight into my flat, as there is a wall in front of my door. There is non-slip polish on all the floors, which creates a large amount of resistance when trying to slide the scooter around. My right leg gave way, and something in my back went.
"I have already been diagnosed in the past with badly worn plates and was told not to lift heavy objects" he explains "I recently asked Salix Homes to create a ramp out of my existing step which would cost no more than £200 but they refused. Because of this I have now have slipped disc in my back, which is trapping a nerve, and is causing me a great deal of pain and discomfort.
"I do not think it is fair, and feel that I am being discriminated against, as Salix Homes refuses to make reasonable adjustments to my current property, which has already been deemed unsuitable by many health specialists" TJ concludes "I now feel that Salix Homes no longer care for the disabled, and I have lost complete faith in their managing abilities."
Photos of TJ by Steven Speed
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