- You stated that under the new scheme most of the priority A1 cases can be dealt with within three months, and I clearly welcome that. However, I have to say that Derry would be an exception. In fact, I believe that the scheme will take some 18 months to two years to complete. There are some 7000 applicants on Housing Association waiting lists: is there duplication between the two lists?
- I accept that Derry is one of the exceptions, which is why I stated that "most" cases could be dealt with in three months. There is, though, a Housing Strategy scheme for Derry due out at the end of the month.
Under the new scheme there will be some winners and losers, but there will also be protective safeguards for those on existing waiting lists through transitional protection. The criteria for the new scheme will prioritise applications on a more sound footing than before.
Comparing the Housing Association waiting lists with our own, there appears to be around 3000 duplications, giving a total of 27000.
- Will the position of some priority applications under the old system be worsened under the new arrangements? There will be an increased demand for advice on the new scheme: what steps have been taken to guide welfare bodies on the changes? What appeal procedures will apply under the scheme and will they accord with Article 6(1) of the Human Rights Act?
- There will be transitional protection for A1Is and 1500 A1 applicants. There will be some losers but the ranking will be more transparent and fair.
The Housing Executive (HE) is currently training some 1000 staff on the scheme, and a booklet is being circulated which highlights the key questions and answers about the new rules. The HE is conscious of the need for advice agencies to be trained and will target these accordingly.
The existing internal complaints procedure will continue, as will the applicant's right to take a case to the Commissioner for Complaints.
- You mentioned the setting up of an Anti-Social Behaviour Unit in relation to the imposition of sanctions for unruly tenants. Who formed the working party in relation to it? Is there a role for Community Restorative Justice here? Can members of the public provide information?
- The working party was formed out of the Community Relations Strategy, and members included representatives from the community/voluntary sector and the district councils. There is no proposed role for the Community Restorative Justice system. The unit will use many sources of information including the public. The Anti-Social Behaviour Unit will comprise internal staff and seconded police. They will gather information and logs with a view to securing evictions through the courts. Legislation will provide for professional witnesses.
- In GB the legislation has been changed to fast track these sort of cases through the courts. How long will our process take to work, because we do not want whole districts in a state of turmoil?
- The first point to make is that from survey work carried out, the vast majority of tenants attest that they do not suffer from anti-social behaviour. The HE is, though, determined to identify the small number of unruly tenants involved.
Due to legislative restrictions the Housing Bill will not be able to replicate the powers that the Crime and Disorder Act introduced in GB, but it will improve on the existing weak law here. The police will also be able to proceed with prosecutions rather than going through the housing legislation.
Social Development Minutes 28 September 2000