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028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

Policy

Housing Rights responds to Breathing Space consultation

Consultation Response
January 2019

In October 2018, the Treasury published detailed policy proposals regarding the operation of a Breathing Space Scheme and associated Statutory Debt Repayment Plan (SDRP). The Breathing Space Scheme is intended to give people in problem debt the right to legal protections from creditor action while they receive debt advice and enter into an appropriate debt solution. With regard to the housing-specific aspects of this consultation, the following measures are proposed:

  • Housing debts could be excludable under the SDRP, thereby enabling clients to repay these debts more quickly to avoid eviction; and
  • Where housing debts are included in any SDRP, these debts would be prioritised.

Housing Rights’ views on these proposals are outlined in this response. 

 

PDF icon HousingRights_breathingspace_consultationresponse_Jan2019.pdf

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Policy, Affordability

Housing Rights responds to Breathing Space consultation

Consultation Response
January 2019

In October 2018, the Treasury published detailed policy proposals regarding the operation of a Breathing Space Scheme and associated Statutory Debt Repayment Plan (SDRP). The Breathing Space Scheme is intended to give people in problem debt the right to legal protections from creditor action while they receive debt advice and enter into an appropriate debt solution. With regard to the housing-specific aspects of this consultation, the following measures are proposed:

  • Housing debts could be excludable under the SDRP, thereby enabling clients to repay these debts more quickly to avoid eviction; and
  • Where housing debts are included in any SDRP, these debts would be prioritised.

Housing Rights’ views on these proposals are outlined in this response. 

 

PDF icon HousingRights_breathingspace_consultationresponse_Jan2019.pdf

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Policy, Affordability

Housing Rights response to NIAO Welfare Reform Report

17 January 2019

Our experience as a housing advice organisation is increasingly evidencing the devastating housing impact of welfare reform. We therefore welcome the finding by the NIAO  in its Welfare Reform Report 2019 that welfare reforms in Northern Ireland are ‘likely to have a major impact on housing’.

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Benefits, Welfare Reform, Policy

Consultation on breathing space scheme for people in problem debt

11 January 2019

The government has launched a consultation on a breathing space scheme for people in problem debt. The proposed scheme is accompanied by an additional proposal to introduce an associated statutory debt repayment plan (SDRP). Both the breathing space scheme and SDRP are intended to supplement existing debt management solutions.

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Policy, Affordability

Department publishes annual report on welfare reform and mitigation payments

30 November 2018

As required by the Welfare Reform Order, the Department for Communities has published its report on the operation of elements of the welfare reform mitigations package for the year 2017/2018

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Benefits, Welfare Reform, Policy

New Work & Pensions Secretary advises she will fix Universal Credit

27 November 2018

In a recent statement, Amber Rudd MP, who was appointed Secretary for Work & Pensions following Esther McVey MP’s resignation, has advised that she will listen to expert guidance with the aim of fixing Universal Credit.

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Benefits, Outside NI, Welfare Reform, Policy

PRS2018 Conference Report: Changes, challenges and collaborations

26 November 2018
Graphic from Karly Greene's presentation

Housing Rights held its annual conference on the private rented sector on 21 November. This year’s conference was sponsored by TDS NI and focused on changes, challenges and collaborations in the sector. The day was grouped into four themes:

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Benefits, Regulation, Research, Private Tenancies, Welfare Reform, Policy, Landlord

Update on new HMO regime

13 November 2018

The Department for Communities has published a stakeholder engagement document, outlining draft regulations for the new Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) regime. The change to HMOs and the regulation of these dwellings has come about as a result of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.

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Private Tenancies, Policy

Tackling Housing Challenges Together: Conference report

24 September 2018
conference speakers with the Mayor of Lisburn, Director of Housing Rights, Janet Hunter, and conference Chair Lorraine Campbell, Supporting Communities

On Wednesday 19th September, Housing Rights and Supporting Communities, together with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council held our annual joint conference ‘Tackling Housing Challenges Together’.

The conference focussed on Collaboration, Community Planning and the Wellbeing agenda and included speakers from local councils, housing associations, planning organisations as well as contributors from Scotland.

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Practical tips, Policy

Classification of Registered Housing Associations in Northern Ireland: Consultation Two- The Future of the House Sales Scheme

21 September 2018

Housing Rights has responded to the Department for Communities’ “Consultation on the Classification of Registered Housing Associations in NI: Consultation two – The Future of the Housing Sales Scheme”

We welcome the chance to be able to respond to this important public consultation. It is Housing Rights’ view that Option Three – ending the Housing Sales Scheme for both the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Registered Housing Associations, is the preferred option.

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