Removing ‘intimidation points’ from social housing applications has been described as an “important step forward” by Stormont’s communities minister, who said certain victims of violence were being treated differently than others.
Gordon Lyons said the changes to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing Selection Scheme was to “level the playing field for victims of violence”.
Under the scheme, the points were awarded to housing applicants requiring immediate rehousing due to facing intimidation, including from paramilitaries.
Speaking in the Assembly chamber, the minister said: “It has long been a source of frustration to me, along with many others in the chamber, that the selection scheme treats victims of violence differently, based on the cause of that violence,” said Lyons.
“Someone targeted because of their ethnic identity receives more points than someone targeted because of their gender.”
He added: “It is an important step forward that all victims of violence, harassment or trauma for any reason – including victims of domestic abuse – will be able to access the same categories of points within the scheme for violence or the threat of violence.”
Those already awarded intimidation points will retain them.
