Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) has shown its commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour by signing up to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Respect Charter.
By signing the voluntary Charter KHT has joined hundreds of housing associations across the country in promising to address the causes of ASB in neighbourhoods and the negative effect it has on whole communities.
KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor said: “Tackling ASB has been at the heart of our services for many years and joining the Respect charter strengthens our commitment.
“ASB causes untold misery and the Charter gives us the platform to stand up together as an industry and say we will not tolerate it in our communities.”
The Charter outlines seven key areas that housing associations commit to; providing an accessible and accountable service, taking swift action to protect communities, supporting victims and witnesses, encouraging individual and community responsibility, prevention and early intervention and value for money.
Other work in challenging ASB has included helping to fund a CELLS project giving young people a taste of life behind bars with a lorry kitted out as a prison cell, and providing a citizenship book for Knowsley schoolchildren.
KHT also held an innovative ASB awareness day, where tenants who have experienced ASB were invited to share their experiences, learn about what help is available at KHT and explore new ways of tackling the problem.
“KHT is so much more than a landlord, we are about improving lives wherever we can,” said Pat Canning, KHT Board ASB Champion.
“Signing the Charter sends a message to our tenants that KHT is committed to tackling this problem and tells the people who carry out ASB that we will use all the tools we have to help change their behaviour, or remove them from our neighbourhoods.”
CIH Chief Executive Grainia Long said: “Anti-social behaviour can seriously affect residents’ quality of life and have a negative impact on neighbourhoods and communities. At CIH we believe that social landlords play a vital role in tackling this behaviour.
“By signing up to the Respect Charter, landlords like KHT are agreeing to work towards a series of commitments based around established good practice, to ensure that they are carrying out this vital work effectively in their community.”
Pictured is Bob Taylor (R) signing the Respect charter with Pat Canning.
It's great to know that KHT has shown such a commitment towards the development of social sector. The community will definitely be better with such an initiative.
Posted by: Volunteer Costa Rica | March 11, 2012 at 08:38 AM