housingadviceNI

www.housingadviceNI.org is a website providing free, reliable and practical information to the public on housing and homelessness issues. The site provides online advice and is backed by a free phone telephone helpline. It is available from 20th May 2004.

housingadviceNI has been produced by Housing Rights Service (the leading provider of specialist housing advice in Northern Ireland) in partnership with Shelter (the national campaign for homeless people). It is funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Vodafone. The project is staffed by Ciaran Tracey (Web Editor), Adele Pound (Administrative Assistant) and is managed by Jim O'Callaghan from Housing Rights Service.

Project aims

The main aim is to promote access to housing advice in Northern Ireland, particularly amongst those who do not traditionally use advice services, including young people and people living in rural communities. By providing practical information, and appropriate signposting where necessary, the site aims to prevent homelessness and address issues of housing need by helping people to find answers to their housing problems at an early stage.

housingadviceNI also ensures that people at risk of becoming homeless know what other support services are available. For example:

  • relationship counselling
  • mediation
  • financial / debt advice
  • drug / alcohol counselling
  • advocacy services

Its Advice Service Directory is an extensive database containing details of local agencies which can assist people experiencing these problems.

What does the site contain?

housingadviceNI examines the range of housing problems in Northern Ireland from the perspective of the public rather than housing professionals. The site includes detailed sections on:

  • Homelessness,
  • How the Selection Scheme works,
  • Money, debt and benefits,
  • Housing Executive tenancies,
  • Housing association tenancies,
  • Renting Privately in Northern Ireland,
  • Legal proceedings,
  • Owning your own home
  • Home improvement grants

It also includes self-help materials such as checklists and sample letters to help people deal with their housing problem themselves. Those with more complex problems are signposted to appropriate local advice agencies, including Housing Rights Service, for further advice and assistance.

Further information

General information:
Contact Daniela Comisso on 028 9024 5640 or daniela@housingrights.org.uk

Media enquiries:
Contact Claire Moss on 028 9024 5640 or Claire@housingrights.org.uk