Debate contribution: Housing (Amendment) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Maurice Bradley on 21 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Maurice Bradley
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 21 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Housing (Amendment) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5743230

Text

I also acknowledge the well-meaning intent of the sponsor of the Housing (Amendment) Bill. The Bill is short and straightforward. It seeks to extend the period during which a person can be considered to be "threatened with homelessness" from 28 days to 60 days. Those additional 32 days would be extremely valuable when people face homelessness and are struggling to find accommodation. Prevention is better for the household and potentially less expensive than placing people in hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation or other emergency provision. That is particularly relevant in East Londonderry — Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymoney and our rural and coastal communities — where the shortage of suitable and affordable accommodation means that four weeks is often simply not enough time to find another home. The added pressure of second homes, high prices, Airbnbs, private rentals — which has caused prices to soar by over 56%, as Mr Durkan mentioned — also impacts on homelessness in my area. I have asked for a joint Infrastructure and Housing Executive map to help identify the crisis throughout every constituency in Northern Ireland. So far, we have not been able to get that. Such a map would be valuable, because it would identify where there are infrastructure shortages and where building cannot take place because of a lack of infrastructure. However, we must recognise the Bill's limitations. Changing the law from 28 days to 60 days would not create another social home. It would not recruit additional housing officers, provide deposits, clear rent arrears or increase the supply of affordable private tenancies. Indeed, earlier eligibility could increase the number of cases that an already overstretched Housing Executive has to manage. Without additional staff and preventative funding, we risk moving people from a 28-day waiting room to a 60-day waiting room. The Committee must, therefore, establish how many additional cases will be created and the annual cost — we have already heard a figure of £2·5 million. Does the Housing Executive have sufficient staff? What practical assistance would be available during the additional 32 days? How would it be ensured that rural applicants receive the same level of support as those in our cities and densely populated areas? Would the legislation be reviewed to determine how many cases of homelessness it has actually prevented? The six-month commencement period should be used to train staff, update systems and establish clear arrangements with advice organisations, landlords and other public services. Most importantly, the Bill must be properly funded. The Communities Minister cannot deliver effective homelessness prevention without adequate resources. The Minister needs the funding that would be required for Housing Executive staff, prevention services, temporary accommodation and new social housing. Money invested in prevention can avoid greater expenditure later on. However, even the best prevention services cannot find a suitable home where no home exists. I look forward to scrutinising the Bill if it progresses to Committee Stage, where its financial and operational consequences must be carefully examined. The principle of the Bill is sound: intervene earlier and prevent homelessness wherever possible. However, legislation without resources will raise expectations and not change outcomes. The Assembly can extend the period from 28 days to 60 days, but only the Executive, and particularly the Minister of Finance, can provide the resources necessary to make those additional days count.

550 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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