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Northern Ireland social landlords promise to halt evictions during coronavirus crisis
Social landlords in Northern Ireland have promised not to evict any tenants struggling to pay their rent during the coronavirus crisis.
Communities minister Deirdre Hargey announced that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and all the region’s housing associations have reached the agreement with the Department for Communities (DfC).
She said: “This is a worrying time for everyone and I am very aware that there is an increased level of anxiety in our community.
“The last thing anyone needs right now is to add the security of their home to those worries.”
Co-ownership, a housing association specialising in Northern Ireland’s equivalent of shared ownership, has also promised to keep the homes of people falling behind on rent “secure”, Ms Hargey added.
Northern Ireland’s 19 housing associations own a combined 43,000 homes, with the NIHE owning around 86,000.
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In England and Wales, courts have put all ongoing housing possession claims on hold due to the coronavirus after ministers came under fire for announcing an evictions “ban”, which actually only extended notice periods by a month.
The Scottish government has said that no social or private tenant will be evicted as a result of financial hardship caused by the coronavirus.
The NIHE, which is responsible for homelessness services, has also sourced additional temporary accommodation and is working with the DfC, the Northern Ireland Department of Health and the Public Health Agency “to implement its surge plan, ensure the safety of those in homeless accommodation settings and to respond to staffing and capacity pressures presented by COVID-19”, the minister said.
Work is underway to secure Personal Protective Equipment for homelessness service staff.
For private tenants, the DfC is increasing Local Housing Allowance rates to reflect the 30th percentile of market rents, as has happened elsewhere in the UK.
People who have been left jobless by the crisis can also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to cover their rent in full for 13 weeks.
Courts in Northern Ireland are now only listing urgent matters, with court orders required for landlords to repossess homes.
Homeowners in Northern Ireland are also eligible for the three-month mortgage holiday announced by the UK government.
The DfC is also considering giving extra funding to housing advice service Housing Rights during the pandemic.
Update: at 16.07pm 31/03/20 the story was updated following confirmation from the DfC that LHA rates have been increased to reflect the 30th percentile of market rents.
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