Housing Hero Award winner recognised for tackling antisocial behaviour in the North East
Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week (29 June – 5 July)
As organisations across the UK mark Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, Accent is celebrating one of its own housing champions whose dedication has helped make communities in the North East safer.
Housing Partner Soya Keaveny, who recently received Accent's prestigious Housing Hero Award, has been recognised for her exceptional work in tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB) across Redcar and Cleveland.
Over the past 12 months, Soya has managed an extraordinary number of ASB cases including subletting, persistent nuisance behaviour and other factors that impact communities. Soya has consistently demonstrated resilience, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to supporting our customers and improving community safety.
Working closely with colleagues, legal professionals, the police and other partner agencies, Soya has secured a range of successful enforcement actions, including warnings, injunctions and tenancy terminations, helping to protect customers and address harmful behaviour quickly and effectively.
Soya has taken a proactive approach to creating long-term change. She has supported the introduction of a Local Lettings Plan (LLP) designed to stabilise the community, improve allocation processes and reduce the likelihood of repeat incidents. She has also helped develop incentives for new customers to encourage positive tenancy outcomes that strengthen the future of the customers and communities.
For residents and customers, Soya's efforts have meant safer homes and communities, reduced exposure to crime and antisocial behaviour, and renewed trust in housing services. By taking the time to listen and build strong relationships with customers, she has helped many people feel heard, supported, safe and protected.
Fellow colleagues have described Soya as a ray of sunshine whose positivity, energy, passion and determination inspire those around her. Her work embodies Accent's values of being smart, driven, inclusive and caring, and demonstrates the important role housing professionals play in supporting communities affected by antisocial behaviour.
Congratulations and well done to Soya on winning this prestigious Accent award for the great work she has done over the past 12 months.
"Tackling antisocial behaviour is about much more than enforcement. It's about listening to customers, building trust, taking ASB seriously and working together to create communities where people feel safe in their homes. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved for our customers in Redcar and Cleveland and grateful to work alongside colleagues and partners who share that commitment." - Soya Keaveny
“Soya has shown outstanding resilience and professionalism manging a large number of anti-social behaviour cases, often in very challenging environments. I have had the opportunity to be out and about with Soya and seen firsthand the way she engages with and supports our customers and the community. Soya demonstrates empathy and confidence, achieves results, and makes a positive impact for our customers. Because of colleagues like Soya, our customers feel safer, communities are more stable and trust in our services grow stronger.” - Rob Bloom, Director of Housing Services at Accent.
