Homelessness Awareness Week 2022

Homelessness Awareness Week is a week of social, educational and awareness raising events aiming to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness in Northern Ireland.  

Taking place this year between Monday 5th to Sunday 11th December, the annual campaign seeks to challenge stereotypes that surround homelessness and highlight the work of the homelessness sector in Northern Ireland. 

The theme this year is ‘Have the Conversation’ to encourage folk to talk about the reality of homelessness and how it can be prevented.  

This Homelessness Awareness Week, we are looking at how Housing Rights’ range of services can help people in Northern Ireland faced with homelessness or housing problems.  

*Client’s names have been changes* 

Housing Rights for Young People helps prevent young mum from becoming homeless: Hannah’s story 

Hannah, a young single mum had moved out of the home that she lived in with her daughter as she was struggling to afford the rent. They moved in with a good friend who lived in a social home and it was agreed that they could stay there for the foreseeable future.  However, a short time after they had moved in, Hannah’s friend sadly passed away.   

Under the Housing (Northern Ireland) order 1983, a person can inherit or succeed a social tenancy as long as they are a member of the tenant’s family and have been living there for at least twelve months. As Hannah did not meet the rules of succession the social landlord was unable to keep her as a tenant, therefore not only would she have to move out of the home, but she was also faced with homelessness.  

Our specialist service ‘Housing Rights for Young People’ took on Hannah’s case.  After several weeks of advocacy, we were able to convince the Housing Executive to award her ‘full duty applicant status’ on the basis that she had moved into the property in good faith and therefore was not intentionally homeless on the grounds of the legislation.  

Hannah is now awaiting an offer of a permanent home and she and her daughter are no longer threatened with street homelessness.  

Mediating with a tenant in arrears: Patrick's story

Patrick had been privately renting his home for a few years and was keen to stay.  Due to a change in his work circumstances his housing benefits were affected and he fell into arrears on his rent. He was not communicating well with the letting agents who were trying to negotiate with him on behalf of the landlord, and therefore was asked to leave the property.

The case was referred to Housing Rights specialist mediation service who were able to help the parties reach an agreement. Patrick would pay an amount off the arrears weekly that was affordable to him, and the landlord agreed to lift the notice to quit once the arrears were paid back. Patrick was able to keep his home as a result of mediation and the relationship between him, his landlord and the letting agents greatly improved.

Our advisers can help if you or someone you work with is homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or has a housing problem.
Contact us on 028 902 5640 or chat online with an adviser at housingadviceni.org