Two evictions in Coleraine - ‘not enough’
Thursday, 24 July 2008
AN East Londonderry MLA has called for tougher measures to combat anti-social behaviour after the Housing Executive revealed just two problem tenants were evicted in Coleraine last year.
The DUP's Adrian McQuillan welcomed the evictions but said the Executive needs to be stronger.
“People think once they get a house they are in it for life and they can do what they want and make their neighbours' lives hell," he added.
Mr McQuillan said the Executive acted only when urged all the way by representatives of the community.
“Two evictions are better than none but we have to keep giving them a push. In some parts of town anti-social behaviour is rife. I know of one place were a party went on for three days and the neighbours were going round the bend."
A local Housing Executive spokesperson said Coleraine's office investigates all reports relating to anti social behaviour and works to resolve these through mediation and liaison with other agencies.
“The Housing Executive participates in an information sharing protocol with the PSNI and local council to deal with problems of this nature where they occur," added the spokesperson.
Across Northern Ireland 33 properties were repossessed compared with 17 the previous year.
“This shows an increase of almost 100 per cent and can be attributed to our district offices responding speedily and effectively to reported anti social behaviour," said Frank Mulhern, the Housing Executive's Community Safety Manager.
Mr Mulhern said repossession was a last resort and the vast majority of cases were resolved without legal action.
“Last year, and this year, our efforts have focused on intervening early and getting the source of the problem resolved.
“This can be achieved through a number of measures ranging from sending out warning letters to perpetrators of anti social behaviour, offering mediation to the parties concerned or using Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) to get the agreement of individuals to stop the anti social behaviour and behave in a more reasonable manner."
