Debate contribution: Tenant Intimidation: DFC/NIHE Support

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 7 October 2025.

MLA

Mr Gordon Lyons

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

7 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Question for Urgent Oral Answer

Heading

Tenant Intimidation: DFC/NIHE Support

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5164867

Read the official Assembly record

Text

As I said during a motion in this place just a few weeks ago, I condemn the recent attacks that have forced victims of racist and sectarian intimidation from their homes. Everyone is entitled to live in peace and feel safe in their home, free from threat. My Department, along with the Housing Executive and all registered housing associations, is committed to delivering a safer community for all. That includes ensuring that support and protection is provided for victims of race and sectarian hate crimes. In its role as the strategic housing authority for Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive has the responsibility for assessing those presenting as homeless due to sectarian or racist intimidation. Its duties can include the provision of temporary accommodation to ensure that people are safe and removed from any immediate threat. Normal housing processes — the assessment of need and allocation of points — come later, after the emergency. The Housing Executive may make referrals to relevant floating support services to help address any particular support needs arising as a result of hate incidents. That can include information regarding self-referral hostels and referrals to floating support services. The Housing Executive recognises that some of those impacted by the recent disorder may not have eligibility for housing and homelessness assistance and is currently working with a number of partners to explore what additional support can be provided beyond any assistance that can be provided in line with homelessness legislation. I reiterate my condemnation of the violence, which exacerbates our housing crisis by driving people from their homes. Intimidation contributes directly to housing need, increasing the number of families who have to resort to temporary accommodation to feel safe in their homes. It is not acceptable. I will continue to condemn such activity and push for greater investment in our housing stock to tackle the housing crisis and improve the standard of available housing.

I am not aware of exactly what was said during that programme, but I look forward to hearing all the details, verifying the timelines and seeing what else we can do. However, action has been taken by the Department and by Clanmil, the housing association responsible in that instance. It is important that, as a Department, we give the appropriate support. Immediately after the events of that time, officials were directly in contact to offer appropriate advice and support. Clanmil has been doing its best to help.

The real problem that we face, apart from the appalling attacks that have been taking place, is a lack of housing. We need to address that urgently. I hope that the Member will encourage his party colleagues on the Executive and other Executive members to fulfil the bids that I make so that we can start making progress on the issue and make sure that we have enough homes. That will mean that, when people find themselves in that situation, accommodation that is suitable for their needs is available.

My message is clear. It is on the record, and it is on the record with Executive colleagues when we put out a joint statement. It is not acceptable; it never has been acceptable; and it never will be acceptable. People should not be intimidated from their home, full stop.

I am aware of no particular role for councils in this circumstance, but I am happy to clarify that if that is wrong. I believe that Clanmil was able to secure temporary accommodation for those who were affected. I can clarify that for the Member if that is incorrect.

I share some of the concerns that have been expressed about HMOs, because they have the potential to change the character and make-up of an area. We have seen that in places where there were traditional family homes but HMO processes have changed that. I hope to make a statement to the House in coming weeks about HMOs and where we go from here, because there is huge concern about them. It is appropriate that I set out what I can do and, importantly, the roles of councils. I look forward to doing that soon.

Everybody should be treated equally under the law. If you have been found guilty of a crime, you should feel the weight of that and bear the consequences. I am more than happy to put it on record that I will treat everybody equally and hold everybody to the same standard, because we want to maintain the rights of people. If others breach the rights of those people, there should be consequences.

I am always happy to condemn any violence or threat of violence, wherever that comes from. Unfortunately, not everybody in the House has done that in the past, but it is certainly my position.

Removing intimidation points was the right thing to do because they were being abused. Everybody will now be treated equally. I have spoken to the housing associations about intimidation points, and they were fully supportive of the move that was made. I am determined to make sure that everybody has access to the accommodation that they need and am working towards that.

Yes. That is part of it. Flexibility is the key to getting permanent accommodation. Ultimately, however, it comes down to our need for more social homes across Northern Ireland. Even in circumstances such as the ones that have been highlighted, it is difficult to get suitable accommodation that is available. That is why we need to significantly increase the number of social homes that are built in Northern Ireland, and it is why I appeal to colleagues to ensure that we in the House speak with one voice and call on my Executive colleagues to make sure that we have the funding that we need to meet our social housing targets.

I do not think that I said that at all. I did not mention any individuals. I talked about the assistance that is available more generally, because Mr Gildernew's question was not specific to any incident. It was a wide-ranging question about the help that is available, which is why I outlined that. I have not commented on the individual circumstances of those whom the Member has mentioned.

It is simply because we do not have the supply right now. If we could do more, of course we would do it, but, given that the social housing is not available, there is nowhere for us to place people. That is why we have such extraordinarily long lists for social housing and such high bills for temporary accommodation. Again, I urge all Members to get behind my appeals to Executive colleagues to make sure that we have the funding in place to build more social homes.

Yes.

I have not, although I regularly speak to the Housing Executive about the issues. I have spoken in particular to Clanmil, which is the housing association that is involved. I have offered to meet those who have been affected, and, tomorrow, I will meet some of the staff who have been dealing with the issues.

1,176 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:22 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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