One private rented household made homeless per day in Derry

Broken down by council area, Derry City and Strabane had the second highest number of social housing applications where “loss of private rented accommodation” was given as the primary reason for homelessness, in the last three years, in the North.

The figure here was 268 in 2019/2020, 184 in 2020/2021, and 268 in 2021/2022. 

In addition, 78 private rented households presented as homeless between April and June 2023.

Facing homelessness mum-to-be 'cried out and stressed out'

'I paid £550 rent every month for the past three years, just to be told to get out'

The shocking figures were revealed in Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) by SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan.

According to the Foyle MLA, pressure on the private rented sector is leading to a huge increase in homelessness.

He said: “The growing number of households being made homeless due to a loss of private rented accommodation is extremely concerning.

“This situation, coupled by the cuts the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) paid to low-income private renters to meet shortfalls in their rent, is a recipe for disaster.

“On an almost daily basis, we see and hear the devastating impact on people of the departments’ cost-cutting measures. 

“The continued pressure on the private rented sector is leading to a huge increase in homelessness. Thousands of private renters have been made homeless right across Northern Ireland since 2021 yet despite pleas for intervention to protect people, this situation is spiralling out of control. 

“The senseless and short-sighted decision to cut DHP support for people already struggling to pay their rent will escalate this crisis beyond.”

According to Mr Durkan, NIHE confirmed that as a consequence of the cost of living crisis it had witnessed an increase in the number of households applying for DHPs. 

He added: “In areas of high deprivation, like Derry and Strabane, we see a higher reliance on this type of support. It is unthinkable that places at greatest risk of poverty are bearing the brunt of budget cuts. 

“To date, 489 households in Derry and Strabane Council area have been stripped of DHP.

“The Department for Communities denied my request to reverse this decision despite its dire consequences, however Permanent Secretary Colum Boyle has confirmed that officials are currently conducting an Equality Screening process in respect of these cuts. 

“I would argue that the decision is discriminatory given it will adversely impact vulnerable individuals, namely those unable to work or in receipt of disability payments.

“At present, almost one private rented household is made homeless in Derry per day. That rate is completely unsustainable and likely to worsen in the absence of support. Not only is it placing further pressure on an already crippled social housing waiting list, but it’s placing families in distress.

“Social housing build is nowhere near the level it needs to be. More homes need to be built to keep up with current demand and a renewed focus on re-purposing vacant properties is crucial. 

“It’s shameful that over 20,000 properties lay vacant right across the North at a time when 45,000 households are waiting for a home.”

Mr Durkan continued added that cost-cutting measures now would have long term consequences from which it would take decades to recover. I hope department officials will make the right decision to sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness.”