Money Matters

Earlier this month, Kerry Logan, Policy Officer with Housing Rights, spoke at the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Association’s Annual Conference. The aim of the conference was to share good practice and discuss key developments in the social housing sector. Conference delegates included housing association leaders, representatives from the Department for Communities, statutory and voluntary agencies, as well as professional and commercial suppliers.

Lurgan, Newcastle and Kilkeel are the next areas in Northern Ireland to have Universal Credit introduced on the 30 May 2018.

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.

Arguably, one of the most controversial welfare reform policies – the decision to disallow the payment of the “housing cost element” in a Universal Claim to 18 – 21 year olds – has been removed by the Government today. Housing Rights welcome what has been described as a “U-Turn” in Government policy.