December 2017

The importance of an independent, tenure-neutral housing advice service for NI

21 December 2017

The Department for Communities (The Department) within their recent consultation- “A Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations” ask for views on a proposal to have an independent, tenure-neutral housing advice service for Northern Ireland (NI).

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Policy, Opinion

Successfully challenging decision on succession

19 December 2017

Clare, an adviser at Housing Rights, recently assisted a young man who was at risk of being made homeless after his mother died. Paul had moved back into his family home with his mother six years ago, but when his mum died he was told by his mother’s housing association that he would have to leave the property as he had no legal right to remain there.

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Social Tenancies, Welfare Reform, Adviser

The difference Housing Rights makes to peoples lives

14 December 2017

Our latest impact report looks at the positive impact that Housing Rights work has had on people’s lives.

Between April 2016 and March 2017, we gave 11,513 people advice and support for their housing problems. This past year we have made further efforts to discover the impact of our work on the people we help. We have found

Peer prisoner housing advisers at HMP Magilligan

12 December 2017

Ciaran and John are currently in custody at HMP Magilligan. They got a housing qualification after completing an OCN accredited Housing Rights’ training course. This enabled them to take on the role of peer prisoner housing adviser.

The work of the peer prisoner housing adviser

The work of the peer is to help resolve simpler housing issues and address homelessness issues for prisoners. They also refer more complex matters to the housing rights adviser in each prison.

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Homelessness

Coleraine and Magherafelt to have Universal Credit introduced

12 December 2017

Coleraine and Magherafelt will be the third area in Northern Ireland to have Universal Credit introduced on the 13 December 2017.

This new benefit will replace Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance and income related Employment and Support Allowance. Anyone of working age who gets these benefits will be affected.

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Benefits, Welfare Reform, Affordability

Placing homeless households in the private sector: Housing Rights’ position

7 December 2017

In the recently launched consultation on social housing allocations, the Department for Communities made 20 proposals. We consider one of the biggest of these: allowing the Housing Executive to discharge “Full Duty Applicant” (FDA) homeless households into the private rented sector.

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Social Tenancies, Private Tenancies, Policy, Homelessness, Affordability

Northern Ireland Housing Executive satisfaction survey released

6 December 2017

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has released its latest report into tenant satisfaction. The Housing Executive surveys tenants each year to establish their level of satisfaction with the service they receive from their landlord. The Continuous Tenant Omnibus asks tenants to indicate their satisfaction with a number of business areas, including