News in Brief - April 2008
Fraudsters prosecuted
Two fraudsters who bought homes in other boroughs while living in Hackney Council properties have been prosecuted.
Lamen Jessu Dilla, also known as Ruth Dilla, was a Council tenant in Greenwich, and went on to exercise her right to buy the property. However, she also claimed to be homeless in Hackney and was given a three-bedroom property on the Wenlock Barn estate in Shoreditch, which she then sublet, while receiving full Housing Benefit.
Her deception was uncovered by a Hackney Homes investigation, and on 14 March, a judge at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court ruled that Dilla should be evicted.
In the second case, Killie Mpopo bought a second home in Luton and then sublet her Hackney property. Hackney Homes won outright possession of the one bedroom property in Vince Court, Shoreditch, at Bow County Court on 17 March.
Hackney Homes Chair Rupert Tyson said: “Thanks to the work of the estate safety team we can now re-let the homes to genuine families in need. This should be a warning to anyone thinking about fraudulently taking public money and depriving someone in desperate need of a home – we will catch you.”
Residents can report any suspicious activities, in confidence, to Hackney Homes Estate Safety Team on: 020 8356 3333.
A new deal for youth
Hackney is leading the way in trying to tackle the disproportionate number of young black people who get in to trouble with the law. The Council is the first local authority in the country to conduct an extensive survey of the services currently available to this group.
Hackney’s Children and Young People’s Services hopes that by focusing on these young people, it can provide more targeted services and reduce the numbers who end up in prison or young offenders institutes.
Steve Goodman, Deputy Director of Children and Young People’s Services, said: “It’s important that we not only provide enough services for young people in Hackney, but that what’s available is suitable for all of the community.”
The wide ranging consultation follows a House of Commons report into the number of young black men and women who end up in the criminal justice system.
Those who work with Hackney’s young people should have already received the survey.
Responses will provide data on the numbers of service users, working practices, record-keeping, access arrangements and funding, and will shape future improvements.
Organisations are urged to return their responses as soon as possible.
If you have not received the survey, and your organisation works with eight to 19-year-olds, contact Christian Steenberg on: 07985 692 919.
Page updated: 1 May 2008