Housing Rights Service celebrates 50 years of improving lives

On the 9th March, Housing Rights celebrated 50 years of service at a recent Stormont event, hosted by Junior Minister Jennifer McCann MLA. Mervyn Storey MLA, Minister for Social Development also attended the celebration.

The event had over 100 guests, who have had links with Housing Rights in some way in the past and at the moment.

Grainne Walsh, Housing Rights Chairperson, kicked off the celebrations, reflecting on our work and introducing speakers who have been a part of Housing Rights history in the past 50 years. We heard from Colm McNicholl, our first manager in the 1970's, Roger Courtney, Chairperson from 1985 to 1995 and Andrew Hassard, Chairperson from 1995 to 2013.

Housing Rights has been making a huge difference to peoples’ lives for the past 50 years. While the housing issues may have changed our work is just as vital as it was in 1964 and demand for our service is at an all time high. Last year alone our advice service helped people deal with over 40,000 housing issues” Grainne Walsh, Housing Rights Chairperson

When everyone has a home

Speaking at the event, Junior Minister Jennifer McCann, thoughts on 'home' are inline with our vision.

“Everyone has a right to a place they can call home – this is where we raise our children, forge relationships and build memories. Increased provision of decent, affordable and sustainable housing is a key commitment of this Executive.” Junior Minister Jennifer McCann

Mervyn Storey MLA, and Jennifer McCann both signed our gable wall, showing their support for our vision 'when everyone has a home'. The event provided an opportunity for a sneak peak our new branding.  We will be introducing this over the next few months, including more prominence of our vision ‘when everyone has a home’.

The future of Housing Rights

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey, MLA, congratulated the Housing Rights on this milestone and thanked us for the support we provide.  He also announced extra funding for our Mortgage Debt Advice Service.

“I had the pleasure, on a visit to the Housing Rights Service, of hearing directly from people who have benefitted from the support provided.  It is clearly a vital service, and looking to the future, a service that will continue grow.  That is why, in addition to my Department’s baseline funding to the Housing Rights Service, I am increasing funding to the Mortgage Debt Advice Service by 50%.”
Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA

Thank you for being part of the Housing Rights Journey

Janet Hunter, Director of Housing Rights, ended the formalities by thanking all those who have made Housing Rights what we are. We work closely with many other agencies and are thankful to our funders for their continued support.