The Salvation Army is known worldwide for its charitable work: its annual fundraising at Christmas, its charity shops, and its temples where Salvationists aim to offer a different kind of church community. And the organisation is perhaps best known for its work with the most disadvantaged in society, particularly homeless people.
But as the Guardian’s investigative reporter Simon Goodley tells Nosheen Iqbal, the Salvation Army has another, lesser-known role too: it’s a commercial landlord that rents homes to people paying market rents and expecting homes fit for purpose. For some residents in the Essex town of Hadleigh, however, their homes are in serious disrepair. Despite years of complaints their landlord has failed to act.
In a joint investigation with ITV News, Simon describes the living conditions of Rita, an elderly woman living with damp running down her walls as she tries to keep warm. And there’s Peggy, whose small home has been judged by experts as a fire trap.
The Salvation Army has apologised for the conditions and has promised to put right what it has long put off. But after years of broken promises, residents are still waiting to see real improvements to their properties from their landlord.
Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP
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