Menu
11/03/2014
BBC Spotlight Exposes Social Housing Scandal
Homeless families in Northern Ireland are unable to find a place to live as a result of benefit fraud, according to a new investigation by the BBC's Spotlight programme.
The programme claims thousands of houses are being sublet illegally or used as addresses through which benefits can be accessed.
The BBC says 40,000 households in Northern Ireland are on the social housing waiting list, and 10,000 families are officially listed as homeless.
BBC Spotlight reporter Enda McClafferty said: "Tenancy fraud is the biggest council fraud in England and Wales costing £1.8bn, yet officially it didn't exist here.
"There has never been a single case of tenancy fraud reported in Northern Ireland, in other words 'dole drops' didn't exist. We challenge the Housing Executive on why it has only now come up with a plan to deal with a fraud which has been around for decades."
The BBC says a family from Castlerock that has moved 13 times in 12 years told Spotlight that they are desperate to find a home and have to move again next month.
Darran Keenan told the programme: "I've been in begging. I've even been round farmhouses begging farmers to let me live in their old abandoned houses just to have a home for my family."
BBC Spotlight also found that 60% of private rented properties in Northern Ireland are paid for by the taxpayer through housing benefit. The equivalent figure is 25% in England.
It said some 1,800 people in Northern Ireland have been given new homes in the past five years because they claimed they were threatened by paramilitaries.
BBC Spotlight Housing Fraud: Hidden Scandal will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland this evening, Tuesday 11 March at 22:35.
(IT)
The programme claims thousands of houses are being sublet illegally or used as addresses through which benefits can be accessed.
The BBC says 40,000 households in Northern Ireland are on the social housing waiting list, and 10,000 families are officially listed as homeless.
BBC Spotlight reporter Enda McClafferty said: "Tenancy fraud is the biggest council fraud in England and Wales costing £1.8bn, yet officially it didn't exist here.
"There has never been a single case of tenancy fraud reported in Northern Ireland, in other words 'dole drops' didn't exist. We challenge the Housing Executive on why it has only now come up with a plan to deal with a fraud which has been around for decades."
The BBC says a family from Castlerock that has moved 13 times in 12 years told Spotlight that they are desperate to find a home and have to move again next month.
Darran Keenan told the programme: "I've been in begging. I've even been round farmhouses begging farmers to let me live in their old abandoned houses just to have a home for my family."
BBC Spotlight also found that 60% of private rented properties in Northern Ireland are paid for by the taxpayer through housing benefit. The equivalent figure is 25% in England.
It said some 1,800 people in Northern Ireland have been given new homes in the past five years because they claimed they were threatened by paramilitaries.
BBC Spotlight Housing Fraud: Hidden Scandal will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland this evening, Tuesday 11 March at 22:35.
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 August 2015
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
19 August 2024
Frontline Housing Staff Praised For 'Courage And Commitment'
Frontline housing staff have been recognised for their "courage and commitment" in the light of a rise in hate crime attacks, by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. Minister Lyons visited Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) staff in Antrim.
Frontline Housing Staff Praised For 'Courage And Commitment'
Frontline housing staff have been recognised for their "courage and commitment" in the light of a rise in hate crime attacks, by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. Minister Lyons visited Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) staff in Antrim.
04 May 2016
Fold And Helm Housing Associations To Merge
Two housing associations in Northern Ireland are to merge. The merger, between Helm and Fold Housing Associations, is subject to final approval in September 2016. The new organisation is expected to be in place by early 2017.
Fold And Helm Housing Associations To Merge
Two housing associations in Northern Ireland are to merge. The merger, between Helm and Fold Housing Associations, is subject to final approval in September 2016. The new organisation is expected to be in place by early 2017.
05 April 2013
NI 'Can't Afford' Bedroom Tax
Changes to housing benefit planned by the UK government will cost Northern Ireland more money than it will save, according to new figures. The new 'Bedroom Tax' is part of the Conservative government's welfare reforms, which seek to save money and help cut Britain's deficit.
NI 'Can't Afford' Bedroom Tax
Changes to housing benefit planned by the UK government will cost Northern Ireland more money than it will save, according to new figures. The new 'Bedroom Tax' is part of the Conservative government's welfare reforms, which seek to save money and help cut Britain's deficit.
16 December 2011
Social Housing Project Boosts Builders
There was a pre-Christmas boost on housing this week with the keys being handed over to residents in one of Northern Ireland's biggest social housing developments to date.
Social Housing Project Boosts Builders
There was a pre-Christmas boost on housing this week with the keys being handed over to residents in one of Northern Ireland's biggest social housing developments to date.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
