NCJ Number
101404
Date Published
1984
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study reviews a British project to upgrade deteriorating public housing in England and Wales and its impact on crime and fear of crime in targeted developments.
Abstract
Britain's Priority Estates Project (PEP) was undertaken in the early 1980's to improve the management and, consequently, the living environments of deteriorated public housing estates. PEP activities and achievements have included closer control over the speed and quality of housing repairs, improved marketing for speedier renting of empty units, the development and training of residents' organizations to share in operating the estate, and negotiations with police to provide a specific officer who will work with residents and staff to reduce crime. In estates where surveys were taken, burglaries were significantly above the national rate prior to PEP efforts. Data following project activities are still being collected, but preliminary data from a few estates indicate reductions in burglary since PEP improvements. This review suggests that a broad-based, interagency effort is required to mitigate criminogenic factors associated with deteriorating public housing estates. The appendix reviews crime rates for each of nine public housing estates. 31 references.