Empty

Total: £0.00

picture of telephone  click icon for access to housing law in practice reference manual for membersMailing ListTwitterFacebook  YouTube

When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

Affordability

Last month, the UK government announced that households in Northern Ireland will get a one-off payment of £600 to help with rising energy costs. The government is delivering the Energy Bills Support Scheme in the absence of an executive at Stormont. 

Tagged In

Benefits, Money Matters, Regulation, Social Tenancies, Private Tenancies, Affordability, Adviser

Results from the last five Continuous Household Surveys estimated that between 11 and 13% of households in Northern Ireland rent their home from a private landlord. However, recently released census figures give us a more accurate picture of the housing situation.

Tagged In

Social Tenancies, Private Tenancies, Policy, Homelessness, Affordability
money with a house on top

Young people who have experienced domestic abuse or modern slavery will be exempt from the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) shared accommodation rules from 1st October 2022.

The new regulations broaden the existing exemptions for young people under the local housing allowance rules for calculating help with private rental costs. This applies to claimants of both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.

Tagged In

Benefits, Legislation, Money Matters, Affordability, Adviser

A recent article in the Belfast Telegraph raised concerns that welfare protections put in place to cover “bedroom tax” may end in March 2023.  

The article states concerns have been raised that "urgent intervention is needed to protect thousands of households here from potentially being hit with the bedroom tax". 

Tagged In

Legislation, Policy, Affordability

Policy Priorities for a new NI Assembly Mandate

As we look to a new assembly mandate, Housing Rights have identified a set of key policy asks necessary to deliver good quality, affordable, sustainable homes for people across Northern Ireland over the next five years. These key asks are informed by the experience of people using our advice services.

With the ongoing impact of the pandemic continuing to be felt alongside the devastating impact of the cost of living crisis on people living on low incomes the need to address housing problems and homelessness is more important than ever.
 

Tagged In

Benefits, Legislation, Regulation, Policy, Homelessness, Affordability, NI Assembly
stick man holding sign that says 'Reforming private renting in England'

The UK government has published plans to reform the private rented sector in England. These plans address major issues around housing quality, security and affordability. The reforms aim to make the sector a fairer place for people to live in. 

Tagged In

Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, Affordability

The Housing Executive will deal with Housing Benefit and Rates Relief claims for homeowners from 1 June 2022. Land & Property Services will continue to deal with claims until then. 

This change should make it easier for people to get help with their rates bill and is seen as the best use of resources.  

Existing Housing Benefit claims from homeowners 

LPS will transfer its caseload of open and ongoing claims to the Housing Executive on 1 June 2022.  

Tagged In

Benefits, Affordability
Hands opening empty pink purse

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) will now focus on sustaining tenancies and preventing homelessness. This means the Housing Executive will pay people more in DHPs and pay these for longer.

We were part of a group who worked with the Housing Executive on a review of these payments. We're hopeful the change will give much needed help to renters in Northern Ireland.

Tagged In

Benefits, Private Tenancies, Affordability

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced changes to the Discretionary Housing Payments Scheme, offering greater support to private renters.

The scheme which is administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, provides top-up payments to private renters to help meet the shortfall between their rent and help with housing costs. 

Tagged In

Benefits, Private Tenancies, Affordability, Adviser

We’ve seen an increase in the number of young people asking for help with housing issues in recent months.

Housing Rights for Young People is our specialist support service for young people in housing need. The service offers young people aged between 18-25 (or thereabouts):

  • Advice and information
  • Casework and advocacy
  • Mediation

Our young people's mediator has been able to help young people to resolve a variety of housing issues.

Tagged In

Benefits, Affordability, Adviser

Pages

Subscribe to Affordability