DSD minister Nelson McCausland could do more to help families threatened by repossession of their homes, according to NI Conservatives’ social development spokesman, Trevor Ringland.
“The minister could empower housing associations to buy properties where repossession is threatened”, Trevor explained. “This would enable people to stay in their homes, avoiding all the heartache and disruption to families which eviction can cause, and pay a rent to stay in the property, which effectively would become social housing. After a certain amount of time the tenant would have the option to buy their home back off the housing association, if circumstances allow”.
“More repossessions create greater demand for social housing, which already has large waiting lists. By allowing housing associations to intervene, Nelson McCausland, could ease pressure on social housing, as well as provide relief for a scourge which is menacing homeowners at a difficult economic time. It’s a commonsense measure, and we urge DSD to consider it.”