Sheffield Homes Shortlisted For UK’s Top Housing Award

Sheffield Homes has beaten off competition from hundreds of organisations to be short-listed for the country’s most prestigious housing accolade. The Company, which manages 48,000 homes on behalf of Sheffield City Council, has made the finals of the UK Housing Awards, in the ‘Excellence in Delivering Safer Neighbourhoods’ category.

 

Sheffield Homes has been short-listed for the work of its Neighbourhood Action Team, which it created in partnership with local communities to take an innovative approach to the prevention of anti-social behaviour. The team of five has worked with Tenants and Residents Associations (TARAs) and other community partners in the North of Sheffield to draw up anti-social behaviour action plans tailored to the needs of each area.

 

Projects have included Good Neighbour Agreements, Good Trader Agreements and mapping of youth hotspots, to help other local agencies. In March, MP David Blunkett launched the Team’s Witness Support Scheme, which in conjunction with the Police, has provided training to 40 TARA members so they can assist witnesses of anti-social behaviour.

 

The Neighbourhood Action Team has also worked with over 5000 children aged 3-16 years old at local schools. Pupils are encouraged to think about the impact of anti-social behaviour on their community by devising their own set of community rules and taking part in fun activities and competitions. Local celebrity footballers have come on board to hand out the prizes.

 

Following the Team’s success, Sheffield Homes plans to extend the approach to other locations across the City. Cllr Chris Weldon, Cabinet Member for Safer Neighbourhoods commented,"The Neighbourhood Action Team have worked on some very creative projects to get young people and tenants engaged in helping to tackle the problem and I am pleased their hard work has been recognised. I look forward to seeing the project extended across Sheffield as it will be an asset in helping the Council and its partners to tackle anti social behaviour.”

 

Peter Morton, Sheffield Homes Chief Executive, added, “We are delighted to be nominated for this Award, which recognises Sheffield Homes’ commitment to working in partnership with Sheffield City Council and local communities to make our neighbourhoods safe and pleasant places to live.”