AQW 36932/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 05/12/2025
Answered On Date: 09/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) when an independent scrutiny panel will be established to review the Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations; and (ii) the number places on that panel to be filled by people (a) with lived experience of waiting for housing; or (b) who have been awarded Full Duty Applicant status.

Answer:

My Department has publicly consulted on proposals for change, published an outcome report and tasked the Northern Ireland Housing Executive with implementing the proposals from the Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations (FRA). The Housing Executive has put structures in place to inform implementation, including a Stakeholder Advisory Group.

I have sought further information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“A Stakeholder Advisory Group was established to assist the Housing Executive throughout the duration of the FRA Project to successfully implement the proposals for change in a way which will achieve the best possible outcomes for customers and social landlords and provide assurance on the implementation approach. The Group comprises stakeholders who have the highest interest in and influence on the project, including Housing Rights and Homeless Connect who represent the views and interest of customers who require housing and homelessness assistance.

People with lived experience of being on the housing waiting list and receiving homelessness assistance are on a number of FRA working groups. In addition, the FRA Project secures valuable input from people with lived experience through focus groups and workshop sessions organised at key stages of the project and for specific proposals. The FRA Project engages regularly with a wide range of tenant and customer representative bodies, including the Central Housing Forum and Housing Community Network, Housing Policy Panel, Rural Residents Forum and Disability Forum.”