Drugs & Alcohol
Dealing with problems on the street
- Soho Housing Association does not have a responsibility for nuisance caused
from the street e.g. drug or alcohol relates nuisance or noise. We will
work with and support residents in dealing with the local authority,
police or other agencies who have the power to tackle the problem.
- Soho Housing Association ask our residents to inform us of any consultation
on local planning or licensing applications which you believe will affect
the peaceful enjoyment of your home. Where appropriate, we will support
your concerns by writing to the planning authority and/or local councillors.
Tenants with support needs
- Soho Housing Association aims to create tenancies that are sustainable. We will endeavour
to ensure that applicants with support needs are receiving the necessary
support and are allocated appropriate housing. This will mean ensuring
adequate information is received from local authorities and other referral
agencies on individuals who are nominated to the association.
- Applicants who require short-term practical and emotional support when taking on
a new tenancy will be encouraged to request such help from social services
or other appropriate agencies.
- Where residents develop support needs during their tenancy, we will do all
we can to access the appropriate support from the local social services
and/or other agencies.
When we will get involved
- We will do all we can to stop acts of an anti-social or illegal nature by our
residents. We will not hesitate to take legal action where all other
attempts have failed, where there is a clear breach of tenancy and where
there is sufficient evidence that such behaviour is being committed.
Tenancy agreement and lease
- We revised our tenancy agreements in 1998 to incorporate new changes in the law
and to strengthen the clauses on nuisance, harassment and noise. In
addition our revised standard lease for leaseholders includes a clause
on nuisance and harassment
- It is a breach of both the tenancy agreement and lease if a property is used
for illegal or immoral purposes, and a breach of tenancy if an arrestable
offence is committed
Working with the police
- We will work with the Police to share information to assist in dealing with
such cases. Housing Officers will work with local community police and
inform them of any criminal or suspected criminal activity taking place
in Soho Housing Association property.
Working with the community
- We recognise the value and importance of working with the community to tackle some
forms of anti-social behaviour. We will continue to build links with
organisations such as the health authority, drugs projects, needle exchanges
and agencies providing services for children and youths.
Support for residents
- We will support residents and the police in tackling the increasing drug and
drug related activity particularly in the Soho and Covent Garden areas
as it affects our residents. We will support and participate in the
Drugs Committees set up to deal with the drug problem in Central London.
Victim and witness support
- We will ensure that victims of extreme anti-social behaviour receive the necessary
support. This will include cases where there is violence or threats
of violence. Where there is a real risk of violence and the tenants
health is affected then we will advise on the role of the statutory
authorities and other agencies in relation to accommodation and support
needs.
- We recognise that in some instances witnesses may be reluctant to give
evidence for fear of reprisals. In such cases we will identify whether
there are others who could give the required evidence. We will work
closely with the police and any other relevant agency to ensure witnesses
get the support they need.
|
|
