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Nearly half of people in Northern Ireland would never want to live in social housing
Nearly half of people in Northern Ireland would never want to live in social housing, a survey highlighting stigma issues has found.
A poll commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) found that 44% of people agreed they would never want to live in a social home, compared to 32% who disagreed.
More than half of those surveyed (56%) agreed with the statement that social housing estates suffer from high levels of anti-social behaviour and crime, while only 13% disagreed.
Just 15% felt social housing was a better place to bring up a child than the private rented sector, with 39% believing the reverse and 46% saying they saw no difference or didn’t know.
But the survey did demonstrate that the public sees the value in low-cost housing, with 69% agreeing that social rents are cheaper than in the private sector and 72% feeling more affordable homes are needed in their local community.
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Among those polled, 52% said social housing should be a tenure of choice for families and young people, with just 7% disagreeing.
At least some respondents to the survey recognised the need for social housing but did not want it to be built near them, researchers said.
Justin Cartwright, director of CIH Northern Ireland, said: “It is welcome that people see the need for more affordable housing.
“Social housing offers people a safe and affordable home, and co-ownership helps people into homeownership. We support the move to introduce new affordable options in Northern Ireland as well, such as mid-market rent.
“Negative perceptions of social housing and nimbyism stand to impede the progress of building much-needed social homes. Waiting lists are soaring while COVID-19 cases prevail among poor and overcrowded properties.
“It is vital that stigma is removed as a barrier to new homes. Social housing must be placed at the heart of the coronavirus recovery.”
The survey was conducted among 507 adults and carried out by Deltapoll on behalf of the CIH, working with Professor Roger Awan-Scully of Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics.
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