An award-winning housing trust providing accommodation for homeless people in Derbyshire has taken steps to improve safety for residents and neighbourhoods after securing funding for CCTV cameras.
Derventio Housing Trust was awarded funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer and Stronger Community Fund for seven mobile CCTV units.
Now the trust is installing the CCTV at properties to protect both vulnerable residents and neighbourhoods from the risk of anti-social behaviour or crime.
The move is being made as a deterrent and as a means of identifying any perpetrators so that the trust’s housing and support workers can address any problematic behaviour.
It is also aimed at boosting safety for neighbourhoods which are home to Derventio Housing Trust properties.
Sarah Hernandez, managing director of Derventio Housing Trust, said: “We’re very grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer and Stronger Community Fund for awarding us money for these seven mobile CCTV units.
“It’s very important to us to protect community safety in the areas where we have housing, both for the areas concerned and residents. Many people living in our properties face a range of challenges and this project aims to create safer, more stable living environments and help people work towards independent living.
“Should the CCTV units pick up any anti-social behaviour, our support staff will use the information gathered to engage individuals and build skills needed for more positive futures.
“We want to reduce disruption for neighbours and work in partnership with communities to create lasting change.
“Residents living in Derventio Housing Trust often welcome the presence of CCTV as it helps them to feel safe – and that is something very valuable to those who have lost their homes.”
Derventio Housing Trust is currently providing supported housing for 352 people in Derby and Derbyshire who are living in 139 properties.
Every resident housed by the trust has either experienced homelessness or is at risk of it with just under half having slept rough. Nearly three quarters of Derventio Housing Trust residents are facing challenges with their mental health and just under half have been through issues with drug and alcohol use.
The trust recently welcomed a visit from Dr Fatima Eltinay, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, to see how its supported housing is helping people with complex needs rebuild their lives.
Dr Eltinay chatted to residents and Derventio Housing Trust leaders about the importance of safe, stable accommodation and how measures such as CCTV would help reduce anti-social behaviour and protect some of the most vulnerable people helped by the trust.
Around one in five Derventio Housing Trust residents are young people and many have experienced trauma or homelessness. The trust runs programmes such as Home4Me which provide additional support for particularly vulnerable residents.
Phil Rowland, strategic operations director for Derventio Housing Trust, said it was great to welcome Dr Eltinay to the trust and meet residents.
He said: “It was a welcome opportunity for us to demonstrate the work we do with, and on behalf of, individuals threatened with homelessness. Dr Eltinay welcomed the opportunity to meet residents and hear first hand about some of the struggles they have faced before coming to Derventio Housing Trust where they now have a roof over their heads and feel supported, safe and secure.”
Dr Eltinay said: “It’s vital that we do everything possible to prevent crime and protect the most vulnerable members of our community. These CCTV cameras not only act as a strong deterrent to criminal activity but also help residents feel safer in their surroundings. I’m pleased that we were able to support this initiative.
“It was a really interesting visit, which enabled us to explore how we can ensure residents are aware of, and can access the full range of support available to them, including victim support services.”
