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Intimidation points should be removed from the Northern Ireland housing allocation system

People in danger need to be rehoused, but Northern Ireland’s system of intimidation points is the wrong mechanism to manage this, argues Heather Wilson

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The awarding of intimidation points to secure housing for those in emergency situations could be abused (picture: Getty)
The awarding of intimidation points to secure housing for those in emergency situations could be abused (picture: Getty)
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People in danger need to be rehoused, but Northern Ireland’s system of intimidation points is the wrong mechanism to manage this, argues @hevwilson_e from @CIHNI #UKHousing

“The intention of the common selection scheme is to award applicants points on the basis of need. So, any alteration of the awarding of intimidation points, other than their complete removal, undermines this,” says @hevwilson_e from @CIHNI #UKHousing

The number of people in Northern Ireland with unmet housing and support needs is colossal. The most recent figures released by the Department for Communities show that almost 38,000 applicants are waiting for a social home in Northern Ireland; more than 26,000 of those applicants are deemed to be living in housing stress.

The chasm between the sheer level of need and the level of supply is vast and further compounded by a pandemic that brought much of the construction industry to a halt overnight. It was virtually impossible for new social housing targets to be met at the end of the financial year.

“One particular concern is the awarding of points in cases of intimidation”

In the absence of developing substantial amounts of new housing, it is vital that we ensure the stock we do have is allocated as objectively as possible. Allocations should meet people’s needs, while creating sustainable communities.

Concerns around objectivity and the common selection scheme have been rehearsed for many years. One particular concern is the awarding of points in cases of intimidation, as evidenced in the housing sector’s responses to the department’s A Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations.


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The concern lies not in the relocating of households where there has been a serious threat to life (paramilitary attacks are cited most often in cases involving intimidation points). Rather, the concern is in the disproportionality of points awarded in these instances compared with other serious emergency situations and its potential to be abused.

“This suggests that intimidation points will not be going anywhere under her tenure and appears to implicitly suggest that they could be reworked to include the awarding of intimidation points to victims of domestic violence”

It is welcome news that the minister for communities intends to bring forward her considerations on allocations reform in the coming weeks. However, speaking on the topic during question time in the assembly last week, the minister stated: “I am committed not to ending intimidation points – to looking at another way.”

It followed her statement that “it is unfair and unacceptable that people leaving their home as a result of domestic violence are not considered intimidated”.

This suggests that intimidation points will not be going anywhere under her tenure and appears to implicitly suggest that they could be reworked to include the awarding of intimidation points to victims of domestic violence.

This will have come as a surprise to stakeholders, many of whom will have expected us to be on course for the full removal of intimidation points from the common selection scheme. Without this, it will prove difficult to instill a renewed confidence in the proportionality and fairness of allocating of social homes.

CIH Northern Ireland has several concerns about intimidation points. We believe widening their application to cases of domestic violence would be to use the wrong policy lever.

Firstly, it is widely accepted that the current system is open to abuse. Concerns have been raised with us by members and residents alike that it facilitates ‘queue jumping’ – with intimidation points almost certainly being used secure a property. This will undermine trust in the system.

“The intention of the common selection scheme is to award applicants points on the basis of need. So, any alteration of the awarding of intimidation points, other than their complete removal, undermines this”

Secondly, given the above, the process of proving intimidation has become stricter in recent years. We need to act very cautiously to avoid placing onerous requirements on people in emergency situations. I am concerned about asking victims to go to the Housing Executive to secure intimidation points before being made an offer.

Thirdly, members tell us that intimidation points cause people to be housed ahead of others in greater need. The intention of the common selection scheme is to award applicants points on the basis of need. So, any alteration of the awarding of intimidation points, other than their complete removal, undermines this.

People experiencing all forms of intimidation must be removed from danger and rehoused. But we must not continue to disproportionately prioritise that rehousing – intimidation points should be removed from the common selection scheme altogether.

Heather Wilson, policy and engagement manager, Chartered Institute of Housing NI

 

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