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When everyone has a home

Housing advice for Northern Ireland

Waiting list for housing

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Lots of people are struggling to manage with housing issues because of the coronavirus crisis. Check out our Coronavirus section for information and advice on common problems, including help to pay your rent and mortgage, eviction and repairs.

Waiting list
Waiting list and offers

Everyone who applies for a home from the Housing Executive or a housing association goes on the waiting list.  The waiting list is a points based system, so the more points you have the better your chances of getting an offer.  There isn't enough public housing in Northern Ireland to house everyone on the waiting list so most people will wait quite a while before being offered a suitable home. The waiting list is still operating during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Waiting time and offers

Because of the shortage of social housing some people will wait a very long time before they get offered a property. You could have a long wait, even if you passed the 4 homeless tests and are legally homeless.

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Areas of choice

When you apply for social housing you’ll have to choose 2 areas where you’d like to live. Most people can choose any areas they want but there are restrictions on some people.

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Applying for social housing in Northern Ireland

You can apply for a home with the Housing Executive or a housing association by filling in an application form. There are lots of people on the waiting list and they are ranked according to how badly they need to be rehoused. Your ranking depends on how many points you are awarded using the criteria set out in the Common Housing Selection Scheme.

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The Housing Selection Scheme

Social housing is housing owned by either the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or housing associations. The Housing Selection Scheme is the list of rules that the Housing Executive and housing associations use when deciding who they should offer this housing to.

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Points for housing

The amount of time you'll have to wait for an offer of housing will normally depend on where you want to live and how many points you have.  Points can be confusing.  This information should help you understand how the system works.

Some people won't ever get enough points for an offer.  If you're in this position you'll need to think about other housing options, like renting privately or making your current home more suitable.

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Disqualified from applying

Asylum seekers can’t usually apply for social housing, and some other people can also be prevented from applying. If you, or someone who is part of your application has done certain things in the last 2 years, like been evicted, abandoned a property, owed rent or lied on an application form, you can be disqualified from applying.

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