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When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

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.

Interest rate rise danger for struggling NI homeowners

16 May 2014

As the latest NI Court Service statistics show a 6% increase in possession orders made, local advice charity Housing Rights Service (HRS) has expressed concern about the impact interest rate rises could have on households who are already struggling.

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Online help for people struggling with housing problems and homelessness

6 May 2014

Dealing with poor housing, homelessness, rent arrears and mortgage debt causes huge levels of stress and people often don’t know where to turn for help.   With over 40,000 people on the waiting list, it’s important to be informed about housing options and rights.

Local charity, Housing Rights Service has just redeveloped its online resource www.housingadviceNI.org to ensure people in Northern Ireland have round the clock access to advice and information on their housing problems.

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Home repossession task force welcomed

14 February 2014

On the day when the Northern Ireland Court Service released the latest NI repossession figures, local advice charity Housing Rights Service (HRS) has welcomed the establishment of a Repossession Task Force looking at this problem. The Taskforce met for the first time last week and is due to produce a report detailing the extent and nature of the repossession and negative equity problem by the end of June 2014. HRS is represented on the group.

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Worried about rent or mortgage payments in January? Free help is at hand.

8 January 2014

Housing Rights Service (HRS) is urging people who are worried about paying the rent or mortgage this month to contact them for advice.  The local advice charity is also encouraging people to attend upcoming court hearings for possession, as it could mean the difference between keeping or losing the home.

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Social housing reform – will tenants have their say?

11 December 2013

Housing in Northern Ireland is about to see the biggest change since the formation of the Housing Executive in 1971. In January the Minister for Social Development announced proposals to reform the way social housing is delivered. Nelson McCausland’s vision is to create “Housing structures that support the provision of social and affordable homes, in thriving communities where people are proud to live”.

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Getting the right advice can prevent homelessness

29 November 2013

People who become homeless are facing major problems finding affordable rented accommodation due to housing shortages. Local advice charity Housing Rights Service (HRS) set up almost 50 years ago, says more could be done to prevent homelessness occurring in the first place. The charity is highlighting the issue as part of Homelessness Awareness Week.

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Home repossession taskforce needed now

15 November 2013

On the day when the Northern Ireland Court Service released figures showing a 20% increase in the number of possession orders granted, local advice charity Housing Rights Service says it’s concerned about the delay in setting up a Government task force to tackle the problem.

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More help needed for householders in mortgage arrears

16 August 2013

As the latest Court Service figures showing the number of actions for possession are released, Housing Rights Service is urging householders to get free independent advice and to turn up to court hearings.

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Task force needed to tackle housing debt problem

17 May 2013

With demand for mortgage debt advice at an all time high, Housing Rights Service says a task force is needed urgently to tackle the problem of repossessions.  This follows publication of the latest Court Service figures which show the number of actions for possession have increased 33% in the last five years.

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Report reveals half of Northern Ireland Credit Unions view high-host credit providers as their main competitors

1 May 2013

A report into how credit unions are serving low-income communities in Northern Ireland is being launched later today. The study “Towards Financial Inclusion, the expansion of credit union financial services for low-income households” has been commissioned by Housing Rights Service out of concern about increasing use of high-cost lending amongst low-income households and the crippling impact this lending is having on families.

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