Debate contribution: Intimidation Points: Housing Selection Scheme

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 28 January 2025.

MLA

Mr Gordon Lyons

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

28 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Ministerial Statements

Heading

Intimidation Points: Housing Selection Scheme

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4763703

Read the official Assembly record

Text

First and foremost, it levels the playing field. I have heard from housing associations and from Members across the House about the unfairness of people being treated differently because of the cause of violence. I hope that this sends a strong message that we do not believe that domestic violence is any less worthy a reason for people getting the support that they need. I do not believe that it should ever be seen that way. It is an exceptionally serious issue that devastates lives and has generational impacts. I hope that the statement sends a clear message across Northern Ireland that it is not acceptable and that we will support the victims on a level playing field with everyone else.

I am certainly happy to make that available to the Member and the entire House.

We always keep those issues under review. It is clear that there is a balance to be struck to ensure that we always have the right homes for the right people who need them, with the right adaptations or whatever else it might be. At the same time, we understand the importance of succession, especially when families have been established and people have been living in those homes. If the Member has a particular case that she wants to raise with me, I will be happy to look at that.

That is an important question. We will take time to examine properly the entirety of the issue and ensure that we get it right. We will welcome input from the Member and others as we seek to ensure that we have a system that is fit for purpose and reflects accurately the existing need.

The Housing Executive will oversee implementation of the removal of rule 23. The proposal was consulted on widely. In 2017, there was an extensive public consultation. A comprehensive communications and media plan was drawn up. Five public events were held across Northern Ireland, and 13 further targeted stakeholder events took place. A mailshot was issued to all applicants on the waiting list. A total of 185 responses were received from a wide range of stakeholders. My decision has been welcomed broadly. It will be welcomed by stakeholders outside the Chamber, and, judging from the comments that we have heard so far, it has been widely welcomed in the Chamber.

I thank the Member not only for her question and support but for the work that she has done on the issue for many years. The issue is close to the hearts of many Members around the Chamber. We have all met victims of domestic abuse. We want to do everything that we can to help. The issue has been going on for many years. Back in 2016, there were debates in the House about the need to remove intimidation points. My party and I have supported that for a long time. There has been a number of reviews. Recommendations have been brought forward along with reports. I am glad that we are in a position today to do it. I cannot comment on what has happened and the responsibilities of those who came before me, but I have always said that, during my time in office, I will get things done to the benefit and betterment of people in Northern Ireland. This decision is another example of that.

I am glad that the Member has raised the issue, because it is another one that he will see action on soon. There has been a joint consultation with the Department of Justice on antisocial behaviour. We need to make better use of the antisocial behaviour powers that we have, and we also need to increase them. It is inappropriate — I am sure that we all have examples from our constituencies — for those who are, essentially, the troublemakers to be treated better than their victims. In line with what I have set out today, Members will see the change in approach that I am bringing forward: we will always put the victim first.

I am grateful to the Member for his support, which is often vocal, from the Back Benches. I know that the issue concerns him. I have made it clear that I want to get things done while I hold this office. I hope that, when it comes to housing, we see action being taken. For a long time, people have wanted to see action on the removal of intimidation points; we have taken action. People want to see a housing supply strategy; I have brought one forward. People wanted to see a stand-alone outcome for housing in the Programme for Government; we delivered that as well. I will continue to deliver, whether that is on antisocial behaviour, on cheaper rent through the intermediate rent scheme, through more innovative use of financial transactions capital or by making it easier to build more affordable homes. We are in a crisis situation in Northern Ireland. I will not sit back. I will do what I can to make sure that we improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland.

First and foremost, it is about making sure that everybody is on a level playing field and that it does not matter whether a victim of domestic violence or abuse or of intimidation of any kind is female or male. We need to see more homes in the first place, which is why we have the housing supply strategy. With the allocations that I made before Christmas, I provided additional help for those who found themselves homeless. There were also increases for the Supporting People programme, so those who are in a vulnerable situation and need help also have that support. If the Member wishes to raise specific instances with me, I am happy for her to do so. The Housing Executive is committed to doing everything that it can to help those in need, but she raises an important issue, and I have taken it on board.

That is absolutely what we want to do through the emergency grant. That is why we will review it. It is currently set at £754, and we pay out about £120,000 a year in grants.

As I said in my statement, there is the potential for a significant cost implication, but that will be looked at. I hope that people can see it from what I have said today, but we want to put fairness at the heart of everything that we do. That includes the emergency grant. We must make sure that we get help to those who need it.

There is no doubt that we face a housing crisis, and that is why I have taken the steps that I have taken, whether by providing additional resources to tackle some of the acute homelessness issues that we face or by providing additional financial transactions capital to find new ways to ensure that we have adequate housing supply in Northern Ireland. We also need to ensure that we have a housing supply strategy in place so that we can increase the overall number of homes. I do not believe that today's announcement, as the Member rightly stated, will have a significant financial impact, but I am determined to do everything that I can to make sure that we have a housing system that is fit for purpose. I will ask Executive colleagues, who have also made that commitment, to make sure that the funding is in place so that we can succeed.

It is not specifically part of today's announcement, but we want to do everything that we can to reduce and, I hope, eliminate the control and power that paramilitaries have, and, to achieve that, we will look at all the options.

That will all form part of the review that will take place over the next year. If the Member has particular views on what we should do, I will be happy to hear from him.

No. The Member is absolutely wrong. First, the rules on emergency accommodation will stay the same. Nobody will be forced to stay in their home. If somebody is at risk, is fearful or needs to leave their home, the same rules will apply for accessing emergency temporary accommodation if their life is at risk. I strongly disagree with what the Member said about pitting people against one another. It was a disgraceful comment. That is not what the announcement is about. It is about making sure that everybody is treated in the same fashion. It is about levelling the playing field.

No. I find it odd that the Member says that he has a problem with making sure that everybody is treated in the same way. Does he really expect me to say that I believe that certain victims should be treated differently from other victims on the basis of the causation of the violence or the threat? Absolutely not. We will treat everybody equally. It is not about pitting people against one another, and it is terrible that the Member has taken that attitude.

I am happy to take the Member's comment on board. I want to make sure that I do everything that I can to help those in need, regardless of the source of the threat or the violence. That is why it is important that, for those who are in immediate need, there has been no change to the rules for ensuring that people have temporary accommodation. However, please be assured that I do not believe that it is acceptable, in any way, that people live in temporary accommodation. It is terrible for children, their outcomes, their mental health and their education. That is why we are doing everything that we can to address it. I recently allocated additional resource to help people move on from temporary accommodation. The challenge is huge, but we are taking action to ensure that we deal with it. Today is another positive step.

1,659 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:53 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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