Damp capital

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Shame & embarrassment

    Shame and embarrassment are common side effects of enduring dampness. This predominantly manifests in relation to inviting friends and family over,

    While survey respondents from all tenure types reported such feelings in relation to their living conditions, levels of this were markedly higher in the social rented sector. In addition to this, although respondents and interviewees in the PRS

    did report similar feelings, they were less likely to report it limiting their activities. For example, while a respondent in the PRS might say it made them feel embarressed when guests were visiting, a corresponding response from a social tenant would more likely describe actively not inviting guests over at all.

    This compounding of shame for social tenants is in part linked to stigma

    , which surrounds both the poor conditions in social housing, and social housing more broadly as a tenure.

    How could they…

    Specific phrases often pop up in relation to the anxiety of someone else witnessing damp conditions. Tenants voice this through their concern of what others might think or say. Invariably, these imagined thoughts of others start with the same three words: how could they.

    ‘How could they live like that’ / ‘How could they let their children live in a place like that’ / ‘How could they keep the house in such a state’ / ‘How could they let that happen’ / ‘How could they let things get so bad’

    In some cases, shame and embarrassment can also become affectual causes for the worsening and prolonging of damp conditions. For instance, it may lead someone to delay reporting their conditions for fear that it might lead to judgement, or that they are ultimately at fault.

    Shame & embarrassmentPrivate Rented SectorStigmaDamage to belongingsSmellSurvey response 026Survey response 027Survey response 044Survey response 057Survey response 079Survey response 082Survey response 096Survey response 101Interview 10Interview 03Interview 07Interview 08Right to BuyHealth and Moisture in BuildingsSurveyors18/08/21, London News OnlineSurvey response 005Survey response 011Survey response 013Survey response 020Survey response 028Survey response 040Survey response 058Survey response 059Survey response 080Survey response 083MediaRegulation of Social HousingTerritorial Stigmatisation and Poor Housing at a London ‘Sink Estate’FinancesSurvey response 051Survey response 091Interview 02Interview 04Interview 06You become the mould, the stench and the nastinessLondon & Quadrant Housing TrustSouthwark CouncilNewham CouncilKwajo TweneboaInfectionAsthmaDehumidifierLambeth CouncilRegina RoadMental health(ill)HealthCentral Hill EstateEastfields, High Path, and RavensburyClarion Housing GroupRegenerationOvercrowdingField notes: I10Peabody GroupAtopyGentrificationField notes: I03TemperatureField notes: I07Renters unionsDisplacementField notes: I08