ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR CAN LEAD TO HOMELESSNESS

People who are thrown out of their local authority housing for anti social
behaviour, which is frequently drug related, can find themselves with no
place to go.

National housing organisation Threshold, which examined how the 1997
Housing Act impacts on anti social tenants, said such exclusion is not the
only answer.

Calling for a range of solutions to tackle the issue, it proposes that
alternative housing solutions be developed. These should take into account
the needs of both the community and the drug user.

Threshold proposes transitional housing programmes with integrated
rehabilitation and personal development programmes as the way forward.

Joint author Clodagh Memery of Threshold said that the 1997 Housing Act has
become a powerful estate management tool for local authorities in dealing
with drug related anti social behaviour.

The study showed a low level of official actions on foot of the legislation.

"The key power of the legislation appears to lie in more informal uses by
some local authorities which can impose hardship on tenants," Ms Memery said.

Threshold expresses concern about the lack of clear policy and practice in
some Dublin local authorities in relation to anti social behaviour and the
impact this has on tenants and communities.

The organisation said the closure under the 1997 Act of alternative housing
options for people who have been removed from local authority housing,
particularly in relation to refusal of rent supplement, had led to
instances of homelessness and drug use.

Ms Memery said local authorities needed to implement good practice. This
would clearly define and set out their policy and practice so that tenants
and communities had complete information regarding procedures relating to
anti social behaviour.

"It is not a sufficient approach to just encourage drug users, who are
largely young people, to leave home as this creates a cycle of homelessness
and riskier drug use practices. Whilst recognising the devastating impact
of drugs on communities in Dublin, there is a need to establish new housing
and treatment based solutions to tackle anti social behaviour where it is
occurring rather than moving it to the street," Ms Memery said.

Under the Act, local authorities can refuse to let or sell a dwelling to
people suspected of anti social behaviour. People removed from local
authority housing can be refused rent supplement for private rented
accommodation.