Just How Broke is GreenSquareAccord?

It's been another extremely busy week here at GreenSquareAccord Resident Support. Our page dedicated to letters to Ruth Cooke, CEO, has been highlighted concerns about resident safety in care and support settings. Even the local police are questioning why a gentleman with such issues would be placed among vulnerable residents.

The ongoing saga of multiple residents with broken gutters, leaking roofs, dangerous grounds, and faulty bin stores continues. These are issues we've been reporting for years.

And this week, the official downgrade by Moody's has raised even more concerns. Moody's is worried that GreenSquareAccord no longer has the funds to support and service the homes under their control. Adding to this, GreenSquareAccord is now planning to sell off Care and Support Services, which will heavily impact the most vulnerable among our communities.

One ongoing issue, dating back multiple years, has a resident in Walsall panicking every time she sees a wet weather forecast. The rain runs through the gaps in her windows, floods her windowsill, and makes her entire home damp.

In an email shared with us, GreenSquareAccord’s Customer Service Director, while apologetic for the delay, explains the delays are due to financial constraints. Let that sink in for a moment – the reason they are not ensuring their customers' homes are at least rainproof is due to cost.

So, how worried should we be?

Housing providers play a vital role in ensuring that individuals and families have access to secure and habitable homes. Beyond mere shelter, these providers are tasked with maintaining properties to high standards, fostering safe and healthy living environments for tenants. However, when financial stability wavers, the ramifications can be profound and far-reaching.

At the heart of this issue lies the ability of GreenSquareAccord to fulfill their obligations. From routine maintenance to urgent repairs, financial resources are essential for sustaining the quality of housing stock. Yet, when faced with financial challenges, providers may find themselves constrained, unable to allocate sufficient funds to address pressing needs. This, in turn, jeopardises the well-being of tenants and communities.

This situation demands a delicate balance of honesty, yet this presents a double-edged sword. On one side, disregarding residents and their raised concerns paints a picture of callousness, conveying an image of indifference or incompetence. Conversely, embracing transparency may lead to scrutiny of leadership decisions, potentially inviting opportunistic manoeuvres from other housing providers eyeing opportunities to expand their own portfolios.

In truth, the merger between GreenSquare and Accord was aimed at bolstering their housing stock, thus enhancing their ability to secure additional funding. However, it's evident that the utilisation of these resources has fallen short of expectations. The intended outcome of providing safe, warm, and dry homes has not been achieved, leaving residents rightfully dissatisfied and underscoring the imperative for accountability and improvement within the sector.

So all the signs where there?

The warning signs that indicate GreenSquareAccord are grappling with financial challenges is essential for early intervention and resolution.

Delayed Maintenance - One of the most visible signs of financial strain is a delay in property maintenance and repairs. When funds are limited, essential upkeep tasks may be postponed, leading to deteriorating living conditions for tenants.  No shortage of examples of this happening.

Budget Cuts - Reductions in budgets allocated for property maintenance, improvement projects, or essential services can signal financial difficulties. These cuts may result in compromised standards of living and decreased satisfaction among residents. Again, no shortage of examples.

Staff Layoffs - Downsizing or layoffs within GreenSquareAccord’s workforce indicate efforts to reduce operating costs. However, such actions can also strain operational capacity and compromise the quality of services delivered to tenants.

All of these warning signs are well documented and in the public domain, not just on this website, and let’s hope I have the restraint to not say “I did tell you!”

So what can us residents expect next?

The repercussions will be felt directly by tenants and communities.

Deteriorating Living Conditions - A lack of financial resources has already and will continue to  translate into neglected maintenance and repairs. As a result, tenants will experience further deteriorating living conditions, including issues with plumbing, heating, ventilation, and structural integrity. Mold, pests, and other health hazards may also emerge, posing risks to residents' well-being.

Safety Concerns - Financial strain will and have compromised safety measures within housing properties. Essential security features such as lighting, locks, and surveillance systems will be neglected due to budget constraints. This leaves tenants vulnerable to security threats, including theft, vandalism, and assault, undermining their sense of safety and security in their own homes.

Potential Displacement - In extreme cases, financial instability will lead to the displacement of tenants. If GreenSquareAccord cannot afford to maintain properties or meet mortgage obligations, properties may be foreclosed upon or sold, forcing residents to find alternative housing options. 

This upheaval can disrupt communities, erode social ties, and exacerbate housing insecurity for vulnerable individuals and families. GreenSquareAccord has already declared that they plan to offload multiple care and support services, meaning the most vulnerable among us will be hit the hardest and moved from their communities.

So in short, the failings will impact the safeguarding the basic rights and well-being of tenants and communities.

So what can be done?

I don’t have all the answers, but for any hope of us surviving this period, it will require a united front and proactive measures to prevent crises from escalating.

GreenSquareAccord will have to work with government agencies and community stakeholders to collaborate closely in identifying and addressing financial challenges. By pooling resources, expertise, and insights, stakeholders can develop comprehensive solutions that leverage collective strengths and mitigate individual vulnerabilities. For this GreenSquareAccord will have to admit to their failings, and they sure don’t like doing that!

GreenSquareAccord must open communication with residents, stakeholders, providing regular updates on financial performance, challenges, and mitigation strategies. Transparent governance structures and accountability mechanisms enhance trust and foster collaborative problem-solving.

GreenSquareAccord will need to stop pursuing frivolous legal action to silence the likes of myself; rather than hiding and silencing, the leadership must drive the promises of multiple corporate  strategies and really embrace honesty and transparency they promote. After all, we really are in this together.

Perhaps we should applaud Julianne Britton for having the guts to tell a resident living in a wet home that she was sorry, but funding is the issue…  Even if she does use the word ‘if’ to describe what they might do to stop in raining indoors.