yh-tv-wank-porn-fest

Dear,

I recently had the misfortune to watch "Housing Yorkshire" episode 2, that dealt with anti-social behaviour at Flockton Court.

As a tenant of Flockton Court, I was disappointed to see

1. Negative representation of the projects tenants.

2. A skewed and biased analysis of the real anti-social behaviours affecting tenants and residents.

Flockton Court, as far as I can tell, is a thriving, diverse and friendly space for people to live. There are people of many different ages, employment statuses, races, sexualities, genders, educational levels and life experiences.  They live close to each other in a friendly and supportive way.

The program singled out, named and shamed one individual as an example of anti-social behaviour on the project. What ever the issues this person was having; and as a small community here, their problems are not secret, this singling out is unforgivable.  I don't know what legal advice they received before allowing themselves to be filmed and named on national television, but it seems that the housing association has failed in its duty of care of vulnerable tenants by allowing them to be used in the production of this "poverty porn" TV show.

Particularly obnoxious was the use of CCTV footage, which appeared to show an attempt of VAWG (Domestic Abuse) between third parties, being prevented by this person. The footage showed a man attempting to violently force entry so he could attack his girlfriend, whilst she was seeking shelter at a friends flat. The way this was portrayed, with Yorkshire Housing workers, attempting to assess whether giving shelter to a vulnerable woman was cause for eviction was outrageously unsympathetic.

Secondly, living in the busy and thriving city centre, I'm used to seeing many public displays of drunkenness and violence. However most of this is not caused by vulnerable homeless people, or "street drinkers", but by the visitors to the city centre wanting to spend time in the areas expensive bars and late night clubs. In the last 12 months there have been many incidents of extreme violence associated with the local club scene.  None of this is associated with the residents of the area, either homed or homeless, but with well off people from other areas.

If you wished to tackle anti-social behaviour that affects the tenants and residents of Flockton Court, I would suggest investigating ways to prevent disorderly behaviour from the night life, for example preventing public urination at the entrances.

After the terrible Grenfell disaster, the press spent much time denigrating the residents. Suggesting that they were all unemployed, illegal immigrants, or did not care for their homes and living environments.

I would have hoped that as responsible social landlords you would not participate in the spreading of untruths and mischaracterisation of your tenants.

Do you think the program gave a fair portrayal of life at Flockton Court ?
What consultation process was done with the tenants about their portrayal before filming was agreed ?
What legal and psychiatric advice did people receive before being named and filmed ?
Did the housing association receive any payment for participating in the production ?

I look forward to you responses.