No. 42/04

Press Release: Tuesday 24 August 2004

Prevention should be the essential component of all housing association approaches to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB), according to a Housing Corporation circular issued today.

The document is issued in response to the new tools available to associations in countering anti-social behaviour, introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. It acknowledges that many associations are already involved in preventative initiatives, but issues a directive that these should now be incorporated into more traditional policies and procedures.

Examples of preventative measures include:

• Reward schemes for tenants with well-conducted tenancies;
• Diversionary projects for young people;
• Acceptable behaviour contracts;
• Tenancy / floating support schemes.

In particular, the circular highlights the positive effects of support and rehabilitation to achieve long-term changes in the behaviour of ASB perpetrators, and prevent simply displacing the problem elsewhere.

Housing Corporation Chairman, Peter Dixon, said: "All of us, whether we rent or own, are entitled to be free of anti-social behaviour and the downward spiralling cycle of misery, fear and social exclusion which often accompany it.

"Associations should be tough on those of their tenants who are perpetrators of ASB, and we in turn will be tough on those who fail to take appropriate measures.

"We recognise that anti-social behaviour often results from a history of drug, alcohol or familial abuse, or mental health issues or a misunderstood disability. As such, we expect to see plans which place emphasis on support and prevention."

Elsewhere the circular covers the kind of behaviours to be classed as anti-social - instruction for tenant consultation, support of complainants and professional witnesses - and details the range of actions open to associations, along with an explanation of the circumstances under which each type of action might be appropriate.

Such actions include injunctions and exclusion orders, possession proceedings, demoted tenancies and application for powers of arrest.

The ASB Act 2003 requires Housing Associations to publish a statement of their ASB policies and procedures within six months of the Act coming into effect. The deadline is 30 December 2004.

For more information please contact Gillian Watson, Head of Communications 020 7393 2095; email gillian.watson@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk or Robert Davies on 020 7393 2227; email robert.davies@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for regulating and investing in over 2,000 housing associations in England. Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.3 billion 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 methods of construction.
2. The circular has been approved by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, and is issued to Registered Social Landlords in England for the purposes of Section 218A(7) of the Housing Act 1996.
3. Anti-social behaviour is defined as 'conduct which is capable of causing annoyance or nuisance to any person and directly or indirectly relates to or affects the housing management functions of a relevant landlord'; or 'conduct which consists of or involves using or threatening to use housing accommodation owned or managed by a relevant landlord for an unlawful purpose.'
4. Anti-social behaviour might include:

• Noise nuisance;
• Intimidation or harassment;
• The fou