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Plans for new tenant body move forward

Plans to set up a new independent tenant organisation in Northern Ireland look set to be launched before the end of the year, after the proposal was backed by tenant groups.

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A consultation on a tenant participation strategy was run earlier this year as part of the Department for Social development’s (DSD) social housing reform programme.  

A “large majority” of individuals and organisations – 87% of around 200 respondents – was in favour of a proposal to set up a sector-wide organisation similar to the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, which covers England, Scotland and Wales. Existing group the Housing Community Network only covers tenants in Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes, not residents of housing associations.

The DSD’s consultation response last month said: “It was felt this would bring about a good level of consistency within the Northern Ireland social housing sector.”

But some concerns were raised over whether a ‘large multinational’ body might be appointed, squeezing out smaller tenant organisations without understanding local issues.

A proposal to set new regulatory standards for tenant participation, on which landlords will be assessed and inspected, also received strong backing.

A spokesperson for the DSD said: “The department plans to present the final tenant participation strategy and action plan to the social development committee [which advises social development minister Mervyn Storey] before the end of the year. Both the strategy and action plan will be published thereafter.” The spokesperson also said the department will make a strong case for government funds to support the new body.

The department has yet to launch an expected consultation on social housing rents.

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