The cost of buying and renting a home in Northern Ireland has never been higher and many people are being priced out of the market. Advice NI is taking a unique approach to finding out how this issue is affecting people by facilitating an online discussion. Key findings will then be fed into an independent Review into housing affordability in Northern Ireland.
Advice NI is the membership organisation for independent advice centres in Northern Ireland and their latest statistics highlight that 13% of all enquiries (over 30,000 enquiries) are from people who are in housing difficulties.
Commenting on the online discussion, Director of Advice NI, Bob Stronge said:
“We are seeing evidence that many first time buyers looking to set up home are finding it virtually impossible to compete with investors and property speculators. And of course there can be a knock-on effect on people living in private-rented accommodation as investors seek to recoup their investment by introducing steep rental charges.”
“Ultimately when people cannot afford to keep pace with mortgage repayments or rent payments there is a real risk of eviction and homelessness. Government is obviously concerned about this situation and has set up an independent Review, headed by Sir John Semple, to consider this issue.”
The Affordability Review will consider not just the problems experienced by first time buyers and low income households attempting to enter owner-occupation but will also look at social and private rented sectors. The Advice NI eConsultation will feed directly into this Review.
Mr Stronge continued:
“This is an opportunity for people to have their say on a fundamental issue: having a roof over your head. Government needs to hear loud and clear how people are being affected by escalating house prices – whether that be buying or renting – and what needs to be done to address the situation.”
The eConsultation will run from Thursday 14th December until Friday 26th January.
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