community housing advice project

The Community Housing Advice Project was officially launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints, Mr Tom Frawley, on the 25th June 2004 at the Derrynoid Centre, Rural College, Draperstown.

Speaking at the launch of the Project the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman, said:

"The Project captures one of the key challenges facing public services in the 21st Century and that is to build creative networks that support users."

For more information about the Community Housing Advice Project contact Peter McMahon on 028 9026 7911.

Background to the Project

Each year the advice sector in Northern Ireland receives thousands of enquiries on homelessness and housing related issues. During 2003 - 2004 a record 17,150 households presented as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, an increase of 4% on the previous year.

With a shortage of socal rented housing, an escalating homelessness problem and rising consumer debt levels, demand is set to increase there is a need for housing advice, advocacy and representation to help prevent homelessness and alleviate poor housing conditions.

To help ensure that good quality housing advice is accessible throughout Northern Ireland the Community Housing Advice Project has been established. This is a three year project jointly developed by:

  • Housing Rights Service,
  • Citizens Advice,
  • Advice NI,
The project is managed by Housing Rights Service. The project is funded by:
  • the Department for Social Development, Housing Division
  • the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Aims of the project

Community Housing Advice Project logoThe aim of the project is to increase the capacity of frontline advice agencies throughout Northern Ireland to provide quality housing advice, advocacy and representation services for people in their local communities who are threatened with homelessness or experiencing housing need. In particular, the project will focus on:
  • Preventing homelessness by enabling people to sustain existing accommodation through debt counselling services and dealing with issues threatening their security of tenure;
  • Assisting people to access suitable accommodation by exploring the full range of options available including social housing, low cost home ownership and the private rented sector;
  • Providing advice on issues associated with affordability;
  • Assisting clients to challenge adverse housing decisions.

Project team

The project has a specialist team consisting of:
  • a Project Manager,
  • two Housing Advice Development Workers,
  • an Administration Officer.
The team is responsible for the development and implementation of partnership arrangements and the delivery of services to 24 frontline agencies operating throughout Northern Ireland:
  • 12 citizens advice bureau.
  • 12 independent advice centres.

The Project Manager, Peter McMahon, previously held the post of Project Manager with Neighbourhood Development Association. The two Housing Advice Development Workers are Jonathan Lamb and Linda Watson. Jonathan and Linda have extensive backgrounds in housing advice, advocacy and representation.

Partner agencies

The project now has partnership agreements with 24 frontline advice agencies. The agencies are:

Independent Advice Agencies

Citizens Advice Bureaux

  • Antrim District CAB
  • Ballymena CAB
  • Banbridge District CAB
  • Carrickfergus CAB
  • Coleraine CAB
  • Cookstown & Magherafelt CAB
  • Craigavon District CAB (Lurgan & Portadown)
  • Down District CAB (Downpatrick, Newcastle & Ballynahinch)
  • Dungannon District CAB
  • Fermanagh CAB (Enniskillen)
  • Larne & district CAB
  • Strabane & district CAB

Partner agencies receive access to:

  • dedicated advice and support on housing issues
  • a wide range of information materials
  • free training, and
  • bursaries for accredited training

For further information on the Community Housing Advice Project contact Peter McMahon on 028 9026 7911.