Debate contribution: Social Housing: Victims of Domestic Violence
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 15 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Social Housing: Victims of Domestic Violence
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5614150
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I have been proactive in taking decisions to improve support for victims of domestic abuse. I removed intimidation points from the housing selection scheme and ended the overriding priority that intimidation had over other forms of violence or abuse. That has ensured that all victims of violence, or people who are at risk of violence or abuse, for any reason, including domestic abuse, can access the same categories of points in the scheme. That has levelled the playing field for all those seeking housing as a result of abuse, trauma or violence. I also tasked the Housing Executive to review the primary social needs criteria and points, including those awarded for victims of violent abuse and trauma. When the work concludes, the proposals will be implemented within the Housing Executive's timescale for the review in Spring 2027. The Housing Executive has also delivered against its domestic abuse action plan, which includes raising the profile of the sanctuary scheme, a multi-agency initiative to enable households at risk of domestic abuse to remain safely in their homes rather than present as homeless. The Supporting People programme also plays a key role in helping victims of domestic abuse access and sustain safe housing. Through that programme, we fund refuges and community-based floating support services specifically for women who have been forced to leave their homes. In 2025-26, that included over £3 million for 14 refuges and over £2 million for community support services.
240 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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