Press Release received from Greenstream Flooring

A new report launched today (22 October 2020) is imploring providers of social housing in Wales to tackle the lack of flooring provision in newly let accommodation.

The research was undertaken jointly by tenants’ body, TPAS Cymru and housing equalities charity, Tai Pawb, and has uncovered the impact on tenants of living without flooring, in particular on their wellbeing. Greenstream Flooring CIC, the Porth based social enterprise, who aims to reduce the carbon footprint by reusing unwanted carpet, whilst also providing much needed flooring to those in need, was also involved in the research.
Currently, it is common practice for social landlords to let accommodation without providing furnishings, including carpets or alternative floor coverings.

The report entitled, ‘FLOORED’, also lists issues such as a lack of warmth, safety and sound/noise pollution as factors that are affecting the wellbeing of social housing tenants, including breathing difficulties and depression.  In addition, responses from tenants with children highlighted safety issues when living with cold hard concrete or wooden flooring – including splinters – and an increase in loneliness and isolation in not feeling able to invite friends to visit.

Tenants who were surveyed as part of the research also reported that the cost of purchasing suitable flooring was prohibitive and linked largely to low income or a lack of available funds. Moreover, a third of tenants said flooring was provided in their prospective property when they viewed it but, prior to occupation, it had been removed. In many cases, the tenant had earlier requested that the flooring remain.

Key findings from the responses from landlords found that social housing – other than non-slip flooring in kitchens and bathrooms – rarely has any flooring or carpeting fitted when new-lets are taken up. In addition, few providers offer flooring to tenants as standard practice unless a need is identified by an occupational therapy assessment or another process identifying vulnerability.

However, the survey also identified multiple good practice, including social landlords leaving existing flooring in place where safe and possible through agreements with new tenants. In addition, some social landlords were working with organisations to help tenants secure safe and affordable flooring options. Several landlords also provide flooring in their new homes as standard practice.

The report contains 10 recommendations for social landlords and Welsh Government, TPAS and their partners will be following up on.
Ellen Petts, founder and managing director of Greenstream Flooring CIC, said “Having been involved in social housing for 10 years, this report, which includes a comprehensive survey of tenants, is well overdue.  Greenstream is delighted to have been able to assist in the research and provide examples of how we have been able to help those residents who have not been provided with flooring from their social landlord.

“Greenstream Flooring CIC was set up to not only prevent unwanted carpet being sent to landfill, but also help those in genuine need.  By working with social housing organisations we are able to provide flooring in bedrooms, living areas and hallways which are supplied to tenants in a basic state; as well as reducing the carbon footprint.

“I am gratified that this report has been produced and we will be working with as many partners and organisations as we can to ensure that the 10 recommendations are taken on board by the Welsh Government and social landlords.”

Elizabeth Taylor, Policy and Engagement Officer at TPAS Cymru, said: “Social housing aims to provide safe and affordable homes for people on low incomes, yet standard practice is to hand over homes with concrete floors and problematic floorboards.

This often leads to people on low income being driven to take out high interest loans to cover the costs on something as basic as flooring; something that most of us take for granted. Why are we pushing the most vulnerable people and families into poverty the moment their tenancy begins and then wondering why they are in rent arrears?>

The housing sector is in a unique position to make a real difference to people’s lives through persisting with the vision that social housing is a way of tackling inequality. When we provide homes with no flooring, I believe we are abandoning that vision.

Thank you to the tenants and landlords who have donated their time and supported the development of this important research. This report provides the guidance to enable positive change. We look forward to working with partners to implement the recommendations”.

Director of Tai Pawb, Alicja Zalesinska, added: “Most of us will take for granted the provision of flooring or carpets but for many tenants in social housing in Wales, that isn’t the case. The report highlights some of the key issues tenants face, including an impact on the warmth of the property, their sense of safety and mental health.
“It’s also clear that a lack of flooring has a greater impact on those from a low income background or with existing health conditions that can be exacerbated, such as asthma.

“We were encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response from social landlords who were keen to tackle this issue. This report provides a clear pathway, through its recommendations, for providers to work together with key partners to help put provision in place in order that tenants can feel safe, secure and warm in their accommodation”.

The report’s recommendations will be considered as part of a forum with social housing providers later in November.

The full report is available HERE.

For information about Greenstream Flooring CIC please visit www.findcarpettiles.co.uk

Greenstream Flooring CIC, a longstanding member of Carpet Recycling UK, is a social enterprise and was established in 2008 in response to the number of carpet tiles being wasted and sent to landfill.  We recognized that there is life left in these carpet tiles and as well as the carbon saved, we can provide flooring at low cost to those in need.

Our mission is to maximise the community benefit from the sales and reuse of flooring in the UK. We also maximise the potential of staff and volunteers to that they can positively contribute to their local communities. Consequently, we can then provide low-cost flooring to households on a low income, providing them with the warmth and comfort that flooring provides.

We work with several companies to take-back carpet tiles that are no longer required and ensure they are reused and recycled; and actively work with organisations who share our vision to create a circular economy.

Greenstream Flooring CIC are multi-award winners winning Wales Social Enterprise of the Year, CIH Cymru Innovation of the Year, IWA Environmentalist Award and latterly the Outstanding Social Enterprise category in the Wales Sustainability Academy Awards in 2019.

TPAS Cymru has supported social housing tenants and landlords in Wales for over 30 years and has a strong track record in developing effective participation through training, support, practical projects and policy development. It has an extensive knowledge of social housing with a focus on issues from the tenant perspective and for tenants’ benefit.

Tai Pawb promotes equality and social justice in housing in Wales. We believe that all people have the right to access good quality housing and homes in cohesive and safe communities. We work with housing, equality organisations and the government to reduce prejudice, discrimination, disadvantage and poverty related to housing.

For more information visit www.findcarpettiles.co.uk Further information:

Greenstream Flooring CIC contact: Karen Howell karen@gsflooring.org.uk / 07966 192597

For enquiries to Carpet Recycling UK info@carpetrecyclinguk.com