Housing Corporation Commits to London Clean Up
NEWS RELEASE
Ref: 17/06
8 March 2006 Media Contact: Naomi Evans - 0207 393 2118
Housing Corporation Commits to London Clean Up
Housing Corporation Board Member, Donald Hoodless, has committed the Housing Corporation to working with the Mayor to tackle anti-social behaviour across the capital.
Speaking at the launch of London Clean Up, an initiative led by the Greater London Authority, Association of London Government, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Housing Corporation, Donald Hoodless said: “The Housing Corporation is working with housing associations, the Mayor, the Met and the boroughs to create decent places to live across the capital. London Clean Up shows how a joined-up approach can contribute to making London a safer and more attractive city.”
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: “During the next four days, a variety of clean up projects and enforcement activities are being delivered – from graffiti removal, litter sweeps and street cleansing to dealing with abandoned and nuisance vehicles. It will reinforce the message that the care of the environment and the need to improve the cleanliness of London’s streets is a joint responsibility.
“How environmental crime, graffiti, abandoned cars and vandalism are dealt with send out clear signals about whether the authorities care about a neighbourhood or community.
“The abject failure of many of London’s train operating companies to fully staff their stations has tapped into the basic view across London that public spaces and public transport have to be safe and secure for the public.
“I welcome the fact that the Clean Up comes one month before new powers giving local authorities additional powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour such as littering, dropping gum, graffiti and fly-posting.
“These new measures under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act give local authorities and the Environment Agency more powers to deal with everything from fly-tippers to neighbourhood noise and enhance those powers already in place dealing with litter, nuisance parking and abandoned vehicles.”
Later this month, the Housing Corporation will be hosting a major multi-agency conference on delivering the Prime Minister’s Respect agenda. Over 200 chief executives of housing associations, local authorities and regeneration partnerships will meet to discuss the contribution that social landlords can make to tackling anti-social behaviour.
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Notes to Editors
1) For further information, including photography and details of ‘clean-up’ projects, please contact Naomi Evans on 020 7393 2118.
2) London Clean Up is a London-wide Anti-Social Behaviour Strategic Co-ordination Group (LASBSCG) initiative. The group was established to reduce anti-social behaviour and members include the Greater London Authority, Association of London Government, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Housing Corporation.
3) Speakers at the launch included: Donald Hoodless, Board Member, Housing Corporation; Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London; Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP; Sir Robin Wales, ALG.
4) Housing Associations currently involved in ‘Clean Up’ projects include:
- Genesis Community Consortium – youth mentoring and workshops, Brent
- Peabody Hill – environmental improvements and young people’s art projects, Camden
- Notting Hill Housing – ‘Regen-erize! Project’ offering play, education and social opportunities in Ealing and Positive Futures football schemes across West London
- Hyde Southbank Homes – tackling crack houses and setting up a dispersal order, Lambeth
- Circle Anglia – working with young people to redecorate vandalised block, Waltham Forest
5) The Housing Corporation’s Respect, Homes and Communities Seminar is being held on Wednesday 15 March, at the Commonwealth Club, London, between midday and 4.45pm.
6) The Housing Corporation is the Government Agency responsible for the regulation and investing in over 1,500 housing associations in England. Its investment programme of £3.3billion for 2004-06 will fund over 67,000 affordable homes. 16,000 of these will go to key workers and 25% will use some form of modern method of construction.
