Media

Housing Rights works to achieve positive change by promoting and protecting the rights of people in housing need. We work to make sure that the voices of the people we help are heard and their problems are reported.

We are happy to provide spokespersons who can comment on a range of housing issues such as:

Welfare reform and housing
Finding accommodation
Homelessness
Repossession
Rights when renting privately
Housing conditions

If you would like information, comment, or would like to speak to one of our spokespeople email us at [email protected] or telephone 02890 245640.

Press releases

Below you'll find some of our recent press releases explaining the difficulties people in Northern Ireland face when trying to find or keep a suitable home.

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High Court ruling shines a light on unfair benefit cap

22 June 2017

Local charity Housing Rights has welcomed a recent ruling from the High Court that declared the benefit cap was “unlawful” and causes “real misery for no good purpose” to lone parents.

The ruling was made in response to a judicial review brought by four lone parent families who argued the benefit cap would have a disproportionate impact on them, as they were unable to work more than 16 hours a week.

Further benefit cuts put homes at risk

13 June 2017

Cuts in the help provided to homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments come into place later this week. Local charity Housing Rights is concerned this could put homes at risk and is urging anyone who may be affected to get in touch.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a means-tested benefit for those in receipt of certain income related benefits who are unable to pay their mortgage. From 18 June 2017, the interest rate used to calculate how much help homeowners get falls from 3.12% to 2.61%.

Proposals for increased rights for renters welcomed

10 January 2017

Local advice charity, Housing Rights, has welcomed the launch of Department for Communities (DFC) proposals around the Private Rented Sector. The charity has been calling for better regulation of the sector for many years.

One in five local households now rent their home. Last year the charity helped people deal with over 2,500 issues related to renting privately.

Kate McCauley, Policy Manager with Housing Rights commented:

Free help for people worried about post Christmas debt.

3 January 2017

Local charity Housing Rights is urging people who are worried about paying their mortgage or rent following Christmas to contact them for free advice

Catherine Feely, Advice Services Manager with Housing Rights, commented:

“We know that many people in Northern Ireland are struggling with debt worries after Christmas and may be worried about paying their rent or mortgage. We want to let them know that free advice and assistance is available and the earlier they seek help the more options are available.”

Local borrowers may be in line for compensation

19 October 2016

In 2014, Housing Rights represented borrowers in a successful high court case that challenged the practice of payment of arrears being automatically included in the mortgage installment, without borrowers knowledge or consent.

Today, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that this practice is likely to be in breach of its rules. It is to consult on new guidance on how lenders deal with clients in arrears with their mortgage. The guidance will cover remedies for customers who may have been negatively impacted by how their lender has dealt with arrears in the past.

Increase in households facing repossession

13 May 2016

NI Court figures for January to March show an increase in the numbers of repossession cases.[1] Local charity, Housing Rights, is urging those struggling with their mortgage to get free independent advice as early as possible.

Changes to waiting times will put homes at risk

8 March 2016

Local charity Housing Rights is warning that changes to how long people must wait to get help with their housing costs will put homes at risk. It is urging anyone who is worried about their mortgage and who could be impacted by these changes to get free independent advice as early as possible.

Charity Director awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours

31 December 2015

Janet Hunter, Director of local charity Housing Rights, has been awarded an OBE for her services to the community in the New Year’s Honours list.

Janet has been the Director of Housing Rights since 1994. The charity provides advice, advocacy and representation services to people who are homeless or in housing need throughout Northern Ireland.

Free help for those threatened with homelessness due to mortgage debt

2 December 2015

With Homelessness Awareness Week 2015 in full swing, local charity Housing Rights is urging people not to put off dealing with mortgage debt and to get free independent advice as early as possible.

Top tips for new students thinking about renting privately

13 August 2015

As students across NI get their “A” level results, local charity Housing Rights has come up with handy tips and a short video for anyone thinking about renting privately.

Many students heading off to College or University will choose to rent privately. The sector has grown rapidly in recent years and now makes up for 17% of all households, nearly 130,000 homes in Northern Ireland.

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