- NYHS home
- Wider needs
- Anti-social behaviour
National Youth Homelessness Scheme
Anti-social behaviour
Almost one in five people think that Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) is a problem in their local area (BCS 2007), with those from poorer neighbourhoods or in social housing more likely to be affected.
ASB is particularly relevant for young people since they are both more likely to be victims and more likely to engage in ASB. In fact, ASB is seen by many as synonymous with youth disorder. Seventy four per cent of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are issued to those under the age of 21.
In housing management terms, ASB amongst young people is often linked to wider household problems and to specific families. These families are likely to have multiple problems and may be responsible for a disproportionate amount of ASB; around a fifth of the cases in a National Audit Office review of ASB received more than 55 per cent of interventions.
There is a risk that ASB can lead either directly or indirectly to homelessness for young people. Family conflict is the main cause of homelessness for as many as 90 per cent of homeless young people. While family no longer accommodating young people is the cause of around 37 per cent of homeless acceptances. At the same time, the increasing use of demotion orders (212 since 2003), possession notices (5,800) and evictions (1,700) for ASB also place it as a major contributor to youth homelessness. In 70 per cent of cases referred to intensive support projects 'youth nuisance' was a factor in eviction.
Effective responses to ASB should protect neighbourhoods and communities, and play a strong preventative role in youth homelessness. Indeed, good practice authorities have links between housing management and 'respect teams' to ensure that support services can intervene early where young people are involved in or affected by ASB, and at risk of future homelessness. A number of schemes across the country have managed to achieve this. The most effective are:
- Strategic; part of a wider plan for working with young people
- Preventative; intervening early, before problems escalate
- Measured; in proportion to the offence
- Communal; engaging communities in the response
- Comprehensive; addressing the full range of the individual's or family's needs
A note on the Respect Standards for Housing Management
This module has been produced to correspond to the RSHM produced by Communities and Local Government. However, it is more heavily focused on the youth homelessness aspect of ASB.
(researched and written by Rainer)
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