Anti-social behaviour

HB sanction in relation to anti-social behaviour

We are running pilots in eight local authorities to test whether a sanction in Housing Benefit for those people who have been evicted on grounds of anti-social behaviour can provide an incentive to undertake rehabilitation. 

If a household is evicted for anti-social behaviour and makes a claim for Housing Benefit at their new address, they will be offered rehabilitation where it is available. A Housing Benefit sanction could be imposed if the household fails to engage with the rehabilitation services offered to them.  

The intention is that the threat of a sanction will act as an incentive to encourage the hardest to help households to take up support designed to tackle the root cause of their anti-social behaviour. The sanction will give local authorities an additional tool for tackling anti-social behaviour in order to achieve a culture of self-respect, respect for others and respect for community.

The pilots began on 1 November 2007 and will continue until 31 October 2009 in the following local authorities:

• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
• Blackpool Borough Council
• Dover District Council
• Manchester City Council
• New Forest District Council
• Newham London Borough Council
• South Gloucestershire Council
• Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

HB sanction guidance for the pilot areas:

• Housing Benefit anti-social behaviour sanction pilot scheme policy: Sanction of Housing Benefit in relation to anti-social behaviour (188KB)
• Housing Benefit anti-social behaviour sanction pilot scheme technical guidance: Housing Benefit Guidance on Housing Benefit Anti-Social Behaviour Sanction for Local Authorities Participating in the Pilot Scheme (297KB)

If you any queries regarding HB sanction in relation to anti-social behaviour, please contact Clare Mitton. Tel: 020 7962 8427. Email: clare.mitton@dwp.gsi.gov.uk