Housing exclusion and
criminality
Cory Potts
MA Criminologie, ULB
Penalization of society
« où la condamnation se base non sur
l’infraction ou la personnalité, mais sur des
profils de risque, permettant ainsi de
développer un contrôle intensif pour les
délinquants à haut risque [...] et un contrôle
moins intense vis-à-vis des délinquants à
bas risque »
MARY, P., Insécurité et pénalisation du social (2003) p. 33
Seattle situation
George
What is
happening?
Criminals
Seattle Housing Authority screens all applicants’
criminal history. If it shows that they may not be a
suitable resident, their application may be denied.
Applicants are automatically denied for certain
crimes, including:
– ...
– A record indicating a pattern of alcohol abuse
– Any crimes that indicate habitual criminal
behavior
Each property will evaluate any
criminal history you have. Except
for homeless projects, LIHI will
not accept applicants with a felony
conviction within the last five
years. NO LIHI PROJECT WILL
ACCEPT APPLICANTS WITH A
HISTORY OF ARSON.
Where is it
happening?
“England serves as the Trojan horse
and ‘acclimation chamber’ for the
new, neo-liberal penalty with a view
to its propagation across the
European continent” (Wacquant 2001, “The
penalisation of poverty and the rise of neo-liberalism”
405)
United Kingdom
Part 2 section 12, “Anti-Social Behavior Act 2003” :
Proceedings for possession: anti-social behaviour
This section applies if the court is considering under section 84(2)(a) whether it is reasonable to
make an order for possession on ground 2 set out in Part 1of Schedule 2 (conduct of tenant or other
person).
The court must consider, in particular—
(1) the effect that the nuisance or annoyance has had on persons other than the person
against whom the order is sought;
(2) any continuing effect the nuisance or annoyance is likely to have on such persons;
(3) the effect that the nuisance or annoyance would be likely to have on such persons if
the conduct is repeated
Who can apply for council housing
You can normally apply:
* if you’re 18 or over – although some councils let you join their waiting list if you’re 16
or over
* even if you don’t currently live in the area – although priority for housing is normally
given to local people
You can’t normally apply if:
* you’ve been responsible for serious anti-social behaviour
* you owe money to another council or housing association – for example, unpaid rent
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Councilandhousingassociationhomes/Councilhousi
ng/DG_188701
Who helps?
“Britain turns to Former New York and Los Angeles
Police Official for Help” -New York Times, 12 August 2011
The flexible tenancies we are
introducing through the Localism Bill,
and a more permissive regulatory
framework, offer new opportunities for
landlords to create incentives for
tenants to behave in a way that
respects their neighbours and make it
easier for landlords to end tenancies
when they do not.
-Grant Shapps MP, August 2011
Brussels
§1 Ne pas être propriétaire
§2 Ne pas être aidé par un autre CPAS
§3 Ne pas être locataire fautif
§4 Seuil inférieur des revenus du ménage
§5 Plafond supérieur des revenus du ménage
§6 Compatibilité de la composition du ménage et de la
composition du logement