Resident George Street resident Pete Arnison, of more than 30 years. After living through a string of poorly executed emergency housing repairs, he now fears for the safety of his family. It was through a damp survey commissioned by Stonewater, which sadly resulted in his family’s home being left in an unliveable state. Arnison called the ordeal “terrifying,” opening up about the mental impact it’s had on him and his family.
All of this started when construction work done by Stonewater caused catastrophic structural damage. One important wall under the stairs was torn out, leaving nothing but wooden pylons and exposed electrical wiring. They attached steel uprights from the ground floor up to the ceiling. This all increased this panic about the structural integrity of the property. In order to keep trespassers out, a trespass warning sign was posted on Arnison’s front door.
I kept saying to him how dangerous it was,” Mr. Arnison remembered, illustrating his frustrations with the methods being used to fix it. Things took a more serious turn when a Stonewater surveyor uncovered “problems that required immediate action.” In response, the corporation quickly evacuated under pressure Arnison and his family to emergency shelter.
For a few months now, Arnison has been staying away from his family home. He has never felt so “homeless,” after losing the one place he called home and loved for 30 years. He was overwhelmed with emotion, as he was unable to fulfill his commitment to defend his Ukrainian refugee wife and daughter. Their safety was all that mattered to him. “Please fix my house, I’ve lived here for a very long time,” he pleaded, indicating his frustration with the ongoing situation.
In response to the family’s tragedy, Stonewater is on a mission to “find them a permanent home.” The organization confirmed that they are in discussions with Wiltshire Homes to find suitable housing where Arnison’s family can begin anew. Dave Lockerman, director of housing operations at Stonewater, emphasized their commitment to resolving this issue: “We are working closely with Pete Arnison to find a new permanent home in the Swindon area.”
It’s truly hard to overstate how fast things are changing right now. Arnison’s first home is no longer on the rental market and is currently for sale. Stonewater has extended compensation to Arnison’s family. This simple gesture of reconciliation recognizes the trauma and disruption they faced, upholding both moral and legal obligations.
