AQW 30474/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 05/09/2025
Answered On Date: 19/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for a review of the impact of his removal of intimidation points from the social housing selection scheme; and (ii) to provide any evidence that the decision has led to appropriate ranking and allocation of social housing for those experiencing violence or risk of violence, or domestic abuse.

Answer:

The removal of Intimidation Points from the Housing Selection Scheme has ended the overriding priority that intimidation had over similar serious and enduring reasons for homelessness, enabling all those who are victims of violence or at risk of violence or abuse for any reason, including domestic abuse, to access the same categories of points in the Scheme.

I am advised by the Housing Executive that a total of 226 Applicants were awarded Intimidation Points during 2023/24 out of a waiting list of 47,312 households, accounting for less than 0.5% of the Waiting List. At the time of removal of Rule 23 from the Scheme on 1st April 2025, 137 applicants were in receipt of Intimidation Points. As of 5th September 2025, 95 applicants were remaining on the Waiting List with Intimidation Points. Further changes to the Housing Selection Scheme, including a review of Primary Social Need points, are planned as part of the ongoing Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations and the cumulative impact of all changes will be examined when fully implemented.