Vulnerable 79-year-old battling emphysema and heart condition left to shiver in ‘freezing cold’ flat by ‘heartless’ housing bosses
The family of recently widowed Brian Huff are furious
A FAMILY have been left furious at housing bosses who have let a vulnerable 79-year-old live in "freezing" conditions as temperatures across the UK plummet.
Recently widowed Brian Huff, who suffers from emphysema and a heart condition, reported yesterday morning that the heating in his flat, in Belvedere, Kent, was broken.
His daughter Cheryl Spruce, 42, who works as a carer for her disabled husband, called Orbit Housing to complain - however she was told they would be unable to fix it within 24 hours.
Mrs Spruce said she was then left "disgusted" that the private housing association would also not be able to provide portable heaters in the meantime, despite being aware of his poor health condition.
It has left Mr Huff - who is still mourning the recent death of his wife Pat - to suffer coughing fits as the weather is set to tip below freezing in the area this week.
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His daughter told The Sun Online: "To leave a vulnerable man who is not well to fend for himself in these conditions is not acceptable. It is heartless.
"His house is freezing, he's so angry and upset.
"If this was a council it would have been sorted in a matter of hours, but as it's a housing association they think they can do what they want.
"They know he's not well, they know he is suffering and they don't seem to think that fixing his heating is a priority - even in this weather."
After making several complaints, a contractor organised by Orbit Housing got in touch with the family to say they hope to visit his home this morning to get the issue resolved.
However they have since been in touch to say that they will not be able to make it as agreed.
"They have shown no concern for him," Mrs Spruce added.
"But if he misses a rent payment they'd come down on him like a ton of bricks."
On its website, Orbit Housing claims under its "mission statement, culture and values" that it aims to work "together to improve the social, economic and environmental prospects of people and communities".
It adds: "This vision is also guided by our passions, principles and resources."
Neil Yeomans, Head of Property Compliance at Orbit Housing, said: "We understand the importance of resolving heating issues quickly, especially in colder weather, and apologise unreservedly for the delay in our contractor attending.
"They are visiting Mr Huff this afternoon with the aim of restoring heat in his home as soon as possible.
"In the meantime, we are working to understand why the issue was not acted upon sooner so that we can put measures in place to ensure situations like this will not happen again in the future."