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We have used our client experience in this area to submit evidence to the inquiry. Our evidence shows the barriers people face:
accessing housing advice
accessing housing
Barriers to accessing housing advice
In 2017 & 2018 we ran a peer housing advice project for ethnic minority communities. We trained, supported and developed peer volunteers. The aim was for the volunteers to deliver housing advice within their own communities.
We have used our client experience to submit evidence to the inquiry into the experiences of ethnic minority and migrant people here in Northern Ireland, and our evidence demonstrates the barriers faced by people.
Our Housing Champions project is a vital element of our work with vulnerable communities. Through this project, we have established links with advisers in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities who help us to advise clients within their communities and signpost people who may not otherwise contact Housing Rights to us for advice and assistance with homelessness and housing issues.
Housing Rights has updated its Professional Resource on the rights of migrant communities living in Northern Ireland to access housing, homelessness assistance and help with housing costs. It has been fully updated to include information on the EU Settlement Scheme and on how the rights of EEA nationals will change once the UK leaves the European Union.
At Housing Rights, we are particularly proud of our Housing Champions, a group of volunteers from minority communities in Northern Ireland who help people within those communities by providing housing advice and interpreting services. The Housing Champions project was recently Highly Commended in the Chartered Institute of Housing NI Housing Awards.
In 2017, Housing Rights sought out to enhance the housing advice service provided to black and ethnic minority (BME) communities in Northern Ireland through a peer project with the support of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The Housing Champions project long-term goals are to equip BME communities with the information they need to make informed and appropriate housing decisions, and know how to access better quality housing.
Homelessness is experienced differently by young people than by adults: the causes and conditions are different, so the responses and solutions must also be different.
