Government to launch housing resettlement scheme for gang members

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

The Government has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive housing resettlement scheme for gang members and their families as part of its new strategy to tackle gang violence.

In its 'Ending gang and youth violence' report, the Home Office recognises the fact that social landlords have a key role to play in the multi-agency approach to addressing some of the root causes of gang-related crime.

The proposals, announced by Home Secretary Theresa May, build on the Government's previous commitment to 'turn around' the lives of 120,000 problem families through the setting up of a new unit at the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) headed by Eric Pickles and Louise Casey.

One of the key commitments in the Home Office report is the intention to introduce a housing resettlement scheme in all gang-affected areas by April 2014.

The proposal builds on the Safe and Secure scheme operating in London which provides accommodation and support for individuals and families committed to getting out of the gang lifestyle by rehousing them.

The scheme is run by a number of London boroughs, the Metropolitan Police, a range of housing associations with support from CLG

In south London, meanwhile, the Southwark Emergency Rehousing Victims of Violence Enterprise (SERVE) project involves the council, police and seven Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in finding safe accommodation at short notice for people at high risk from gang violence.

Since it was launched in March 2009, SERVE has handled 49 applications and re-housed 20 individuals and their families. All of those re-housed have remained safe.

As part of the new Home Office strategy, young people at risk of being drawn into gangs and violence will be targeted at every stage of their lives – from toddlers to teenagers – in an attempt to prevent the next generation of gang members.

But there is also strong warning to those who refuse help that they will be met with the full force of strengthened laws to protect local communities from crime and disorder.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Our first duty is to bring violence under control by providing the police and other agencies with the support and powers they need to protect communities affected by serious youth violence.  There can never be an excuse for criminality and it must be dealt with swiftly and robustly.

"But gang and youth violence is not a problem that can be solved by enforcement alone.  We need to change the life stories of young people currently ending up dead or wounded on our streets or locked in a cycle of re-offending.

"(This) report is a serious, systematic, practical, and comprehensive approach aimed at supporting towns and cities across the country to find long-term and enduring solutions to youth violence.'

The strategy builds on ork already being done across government and at local level by police forces, local government and housing agencies, charities and voluntary organisations and young people themselves around the country, many of whom have fed into the development of the strategy.

Five key principles underpin today's strategy - provision of support, prevention, pathways out of crime, effective punishment and partnership working:

• Preventing young people becoming involved in violence in the first place with a new emphasis on early intervention and prevention
• Pathways out of violence and the gang culture for young people wanting to make a break with the past
• Punishment and enforcement to suppress the violence of those refusing to exit violent lifestyles
• Partnership working to join up the way local areas respond to gang and other youth violence
• Providing support to local areas wanting to tackle their gang or youth violence problem