In response to ongoing tensions and attacks on people’s homes and property in some areas of Northern Ireland, senior leaders in the housing and homelessness NGO sector have joined together in their condemnation of the attacks.

Nicola McCrudden CEO of Homeless Connect, Kate McCauley CEO of Housing Rights, Justin Cartwright, National Director CIH and Seamus Leheny CEO of the NIFHA issued the following statement.

“Access to adequate housing is a basic and fundamental human right. Everyone in society, regardless of ethnicity or race, has the right to peaceful and quiet enjoyment of their home and protection against forced eviction. The recent attacks on people’s homes, and on a temporary site providing refuge for those affected, is unjustified and must be condemned. Any service, statutory or voluntary, upholding this right through provision of invaluable housing support to people experiencing homelessness should never be subject to violence and intimidation.”

The organisations have advised anyone with safety or property concerns to contact their accommodation provider in the first instance.

NOTES

1. The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards. Our goal is simple – to provide housing professionals with the advice, support and knowledge they need to be brilliant. CIH is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. This means that the money we make is put back into the organisation and funds the activities we carry out to support the housing sector. We have a diverse membership of people who work in both the public and private sectors, in 20 countries on five continents across the world. Further information is available at: www.cih.org
2. Homeless Connect has been working to prevent and alleviate homelessness in Northern Ireland since 1983. As a membership body, we represent organisations working with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and provide direct support to service users through our projects. Homeless Connect is a registered charity in Northern Ireland 103325. For further information visit www.homelessconnect.org.
3. NIFHA is the representative body for 20 housing associations who provide social and affordable homes. Our members manage over 59,000 homes across Northern Ireland while delivering new homes every year that provides great homes and supports communities.
4. Housing Rights is Northern Ireland’s leading independent provider of specialist housing advice. For 60 years we have been helping people to find and keep a home. We believe that prevention is better than the cure. Our work seeks to ensure individuals and families living in Northern Ireland do not reach this point of crisis. Housing Rights believes passionately that no-one should be without a home and works tirelessly towards the goal that every citizen in Northern Ireland has a decent, safe and affordable home.