September 2013

Since 1997, Ricky Rowledge has been Director of the Council for the Homeless (NI), the sole umbrella body representing homelessness agencies throughout NI. She currently sits on a number of policy and practice working groups including the Northern Ireland Homelessness Strategy Steering Group, and the Promoting Social Inclusion working group on homelessness.

Below she describes what she would ask for if granted three wishes by the Housing Genie.

Homeless people are more likely to have their benefits sanctioned according to a report published by Homeless Link.

Gas Safety Week runs from 16-22 September 2013. It aims to highlight the importance of gas safety and of keeping gas appliances in a safe working condition.

The week long campaign is co-ordinated by the Gas Safe Register and is supported by the gas industry including retailers, manufacturers, consumer bodies and the public.

Chris McGrath, Solicitor at Housing Rights Service provides a comprehensive analysis of the Superstrike judgment and its impact in Northern Ireland

A recent UK court of appeal judgment concerning the protection of tenants' deposits when a tenancy becomes periodic has been the subject of much discussion.  This decision may impact on tenancy management practices in Northern Ireland.

A long awaited strategy to tackle the problem of empty properties has just been launched by the Department for Social Development (DSD). The Empty Homes Strategy and Action Plan 2013-2018 aims to bring the estimated 32,000 empty homes across NI into use.
Speaking about the new strategy, the DSD Minister, Nelson McCausland said:

The second annual Poverty in Northern Ireland report (August 2013) gives estimates of the proportion of children, working age adults and pensioners living in low income households during 2011-2012.

The report is based on information collected for the annual Family Resources Survey, which has been running since 2002.
Some of the key findings include: