Call For Work To Be Done To Address Housing Inequalities In NI

Work still needs to be done to address housing inequalities in Northern Ireland, according to the Equality Commission.

It published a 'Statement on Key Inequalities in Housing and Communities in Northern Ireland' which draws on a wide range of sources and highlights seven areas where the Commission considers key inequalities persist.

They exist in the following areas:

• longer waiting times for Catholic applicants for social housing;

• limited access to appropriate accommodation for Irish Travellers;

• vulnerability to racial attacks of the homes of minority ethnic and migrant groups;

• susceptibility of migrant workers to tied accommodation with poor conditions;

• limits on the opportunity for people with a learning disability to live independently;

• people with disabilities living in homes inadequate for their disability-related needs;

• Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people who can feel harassed and unsafe in their homes and neighbourhoods.


Dr Evelyn Collins, Chief Executive of the Equality Commission, said: "We acknowledge that progress has been made to improve housing stock and develop access to suitable accommodation across Northern Ireland over the past decades, but there is compelling evidence that work still needs to be done to address enduring inequalities, which continue to affect people across our community.



"Ensuring that everyone has access to a sustainable, secure home and enjoys the right to independent living; that the specific housing needs of particular equality groups are addressed; and the development of shared, safe communities are essential building blocks to a successful, flourishing Northern Ireland.


"As a society we must not ignore inequalities in this crucial area. Unchallenged, they will continue to affect the lives of many people across Northern Ireland and the life chances of future generations. A revised Programme for Government should provide an opportunity to develop actions to address these inequalities. At its heart must be the aim of meeting objective need whilst ensuring equality of opportunity."

Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said: "The report again demonstrates the persistent inequalities that exist in relation to housing and I very much welcome the work the Equality Commission has done on this important issue.

"The report details the longer waiting lists faced by Catholic applicants, attacks and the threat of attack on newcomer and LGBT communities, lack of accommodation for Travellers and substandard accommodation for migrant workers and those living with disabilities.

"All of that underscores the need for equality to be enshrined at every level of government and public policy. Housing accommodation – like all public spending – should be allocated on the basis of objective need.

"More should also be done to ringfence protection for the vulnerable groups identified in this report. That is a case which my party has been making for some time and it's unfortunate that some of these key protections were removed by the then SDLP Minister in 2010."

(CD/JP)