I have lived for 20 years on a council estate considered to be full of such antisocial tenants. I lived next door to a drug dealer for three of those years and continue to live in the same road as quite a few "junkies". It's true that I am not a housing officer and am currently working in housing research and policy, but I have been for many years, and continue to be, involved in community work in my area with many socially excluded individuals. I am therefore very aware of the problems caused by such tenants, and how neighbours are affected by them. I still believe that compassion and support are the most effective ways to confront such issues.
None of the letters referred to what happens or what should happen to tenants like Helen following their eviction. Perhaps the correspondents are unconcerned, as once they're gone they're gone. This was the point I tried to get to the heart of in the "Cruel to be kind" feature: where will they go? What will happen to them? Who will help them once they have been excluded from the services that are supposed to be in place to help those who hit rock bottom?
This is not a straightforward, right versus wrong, debate but those people who are disruptive and lead chaotic lives for whatever reason need to receive better coordinated and resourced responses to their problems than they currently get.
Source
Housing Today
Postscript
Peta Waters-Dewhurst, South Wales
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