Limerick County Council Introduces Support Policy For Social Housing Tenants

The main objectives of the newly adopted ‘Tenant Support Policy’ are to support residents by helping them organise Residents Associations and tackle incidences of anti-social behaviour.

Limerick County Council is the largest landlord in the county, in terms of housing stock, possessing approximately 1950 units of accommodation, including flats, houses in estates and rural cottages.

Launching the new policy, Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council stated, "Limerick County Council recognises the right of all its tenants to enjoy the accommodation provided for them by the Council in a safe and peaceful environment and is committed to protecting that right through the introduction of this Policy."

The Cathaoirleach added that the launch of the policy demonstrated that the Council was a positive progressive landlord wishing to work with its tenants so that Social Housing would blend seamlessly into the community.

"The local authority acknowledges that most of its tenants are decent law abiding citizens but a small number are not. To this end, the ‘Tenant Support Policy’ puts the appropriate structures in place to work with tenants on a partnership basis so that sustainable communities are created", stated Councillor Sheahan.

One of the main aims of the policy is to provide a strategic framework for preventing, dealing with and combating anti-social behaviour. It also ensures that Limerick County Council has clear and coherent protocols, procedures and policies in place to deal effectively and fairly where allegations and incidents of anti-social behaviour come to its attention.

Under the terms of the new policy, Limerick County Council has committed to introducing a computerised complaints log system in 2008. The system will assist the local authority in investigating and recording complaints of Anti-social Behaviour and breaches of the Tenancy Agreement.

According to Councillor Tom Neville, Chair of Limerick County Council’s Housing Strategic Policy Group, "Council tenants must recognise their obligation to abide by the terms of their Tenancy agreement for the creation and maintenance of a stable and peaceful living environment in our local authority developments. The Council further acknowledges its role in intervening to resolve conflict in instances of anti-social behaviour where actions taken by individuals affect the wider community."

"The local authority recognises that the successful implementation of this policy will require significant input from and co-operation with several partner agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Department of Social, Community & Family Affairs, Probation Services and the Health Service Executive", concluded Councillor Neville.

In order to promote good neighbourhoods where its tenants reside, Limerick County Council has adopted a broad range of measures in its ‘Tenant Support Policy’. The measures include the continued improvement of the design of new Local Authority developments, the incorporation of security and anti-crime features, and the continued assessment and screening of all housing applicants and pre-tenancy training.

The Council will also pursue breaches of the Tenancy Agreement, encourage and support participation in promoting a sense of community ownership and pride of place, and continue to encourage and support the establishment and development of residents’ groups throughout County Limerick.

Today’s official launch of the ‘Tenant Support Policy’ was attended by representatives of Limerick County Council, An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive, as well as elected representatives.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
- To arrange an interview please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- For more on Limerick County Council’s ‘Tenant Support Policy’ contact The Housing Services Officer, the Housing section of Limerick County Council on 061 - 496299.


Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)