Yorkshire Housing unveils new ASB partnership

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Social housing provider Yorkshire Housing has unveiled a new partnership to create a new anti-social behaviour service for 16,000 of its tenants.

The new partnership is arming Yorkshire Housing's Neighbourhood Officers with expert legal advice and support. It will also offer mediation services to help communities discuss and resolve their anti-social behaviour (ASB) problems together. 

Between 2009/10, more than 255 cases of ASB were reported across Yorkshire by Yorkshire Housing tenants. The most common types of ASB reported were noise, followed by harassment and intimidation.

Tim Bright, Service Excellence Manager at Yorkshire Housing, said: “Over the years the need for anti-social behaviour services has changed dramatically, along with the number and nature of the problems experienced by communities.

“A lot of work is required to tackle these problems and we know that we have to work jointly with all agencies to do this.

“While no two cases will be the same, we hope to equip our Neighbourhood Officers with the right skills and techniques to deal with ASB effectively supporting individuals, their families and the wider community.”

The new improved service was set up following a call by tenants and staff to improve the services and equip neighbourhood officers with a useful toolkit and support from partners.

The organisations who are taking part in the pioneering project include:

• Incommunities ASB Tenancy Enforcement Team (for Bradford, Huddersfield and Skipton)
• Whiteheads Solicitors (for Leeds and Sheffield)
• City of York Council ASB Tenancy Enforcement Team (for Malton and York)