The body of a supported housing tenant which was not found for almost a month after his death has opened up a fresh chapter of woes for a housing association with a troubled background.
Two staff members of English Churches Housing Group have been suspended pending an investigation and inquest into the death of 23-year-old Darren Crumpton, a supported tenant in a scheme for homeless people in Wakefield.

An internal inquiry by the housing association and chaired by Wakefield metropolitan district council will consider why it took three weeks for staff at Marsh Way House to discover Crumpton's body.

Staff are expected to agree with tenants the amount of contact they require, they can vary from daily contact to visits every few weeks.

A spokeswoman for English Churches said: "We are deeply upset about the death of Darren Crumpton and we have offered our sympathy to Darren's family and friends and support to everyone who knew him at Marsh Way House.

"We would like to state that English Churches has already begun its own internal investigation and we will be issuing a full statement once the inquest is concluded. While this investigation is going on, two members of staff have been suspended. This is routine procedure in a situation of this kind."

English Churches was put under Housing Corporation supervision last year after a PFI deal with Birmingham Children's Hospital led to financial difficulties.

Crumpton, who had previously been treated at a mental health unit, had been at the project since November 1999.

He spent his first few weeks in the main scheme where residents are assisted towards independent living. He then moved to a block of flats in a nearby close where he could live independently while receiving some support. His body was found on July 8 but he had not been seen for at least three weeks.

Marsh Way is a scheme for single homeless men and women aged 16 to 65.

Source

Housing Today