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Thoughts, views and expert insight from our policy team.

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Image of house rooftops

When everyone has a home: a statement from Housing Rights following the events of the last few days

“We are deeply troubled by the events of the last few days in Belfast.

As we continue to reach out to our partners in newcomer communities to offer our assistance with any housing needs linked with these events, we think it is important to re-state the facts when discussing housing and immigration.”

7 August 2024
rooftops of terraced houses

Press release: Housing and homelessness sector leaders outline ‘grave concerns’ at social housing new starts figure for 2024/5

The leaders of four leading homelessness and housing sector representatives have written to the First and Deputy First Ministers outlining their ‘grave concerns’ at the news that the Department for Communities will only be able to fund up to 400 new starts in 2024/5.

7 June 2024
UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Professor Balakrishnan Rajagopal

"It seems that I am here at the right time"

As part of our 60th anniversary, Housing Rights hosted a visit from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Professor Balakrishnan Rajagopal. 

3 June 2024
United Nations special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Mr Balakrishnan Rajagopal

Press release: Housing Rights pledges focus on preventing homelessness at Stormont event attended by United Nations expert

Housing Rights held a special event in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings Stormont to mark its 60th anniversary and to launch the charity’s new Strategic Plan 2024-29.

15 May 2024
Image of squares with symbols representing net zero

A ‘just transition’ to net zero in Northern Ireland

Our Head of Policy and Development, Natalie Whelehan, on the role that housing can play in mitigating against climate change.

12 February 2024
Natalie Whelehan — Head of Policy and Development
Energy efficiency Heating Climate change
Woman and boy in kitchen

MLA Bulletin December 2023

As we look to a new Assembly, Housing Rights has identified a set of key policy asks necessary to deliver good quality, affordable, and sustainable homes for people across Northern Ireland over this current mandate. These key policy asks are informed by the experience of people using our advice services.

20 December 2023
Conference chair Professor Paddy Gray OBE addresses delegates

Press release: Housing Rights marks its 10th Annual Private Rented Sector Conference

Housing Rights recently held its 10th Private Rented Sector Conference on the 29th November at the Skainos Centre.

29 November 2023
Row of terraced houses in the snow

The human cost of the Local Housing Allowance freeze

Our Policy Coordinator, Stephen Morrison, writes about how frozen Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates have impacted private renters across Northern Ireland. 

Housing Rights urges the UK Government to stop freezing thousands of people out of sustainable homes this winter, by urgently unfreezing LHA and realigning it back to minimum the 30th percentile of affordability.

21 November 2023
Stephen Morrison — Policy Coordinator
Benefits Local housing allowance Private tenants
Jigsaw puzzle with a house

Press release: New research pinpoints mortgage holders struggling due to high interest rates and the cost of living crisis

Research commissioned by Housing Rights reveals a concerning trend in Northern Ireland, where an increasing number of households are struggling to make their mortgage payments.  

7 November 2023
Advice book and coffee cup on table

Press release: Housing Rights celebrates 20 successful years of its CHAP project

Housing Rights recently marked the 20th anniversary of its successful Community Housing Advice Partnership at a celebratory event held at the Junction, Dungannon. The event also explored the need to introduce Housing Advice Quality Standards for Northern Ireland.

31 October 2023