Ombudsman to investigate Housing Executive

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (Nipso) has launched an investigation into the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

Ombudsman Margaret Kelly wrote to the NIHE to notify them that an “own initiative” investigation is now underway.

It will look into a number of issues, including how complaints are handled and the maintenance of properties.

Ms Kelly said that access to good quality housing is “an essential foundation for maintaining health and well-being and vital for enabling our children to achieve their full potential”.

The investigation will look into how the NIHE responds to repairs, adapts properties for those with disabilities, and how it manages the standard of quality in temporary accommodation.

The investigation will also assess how easy it is for tenants to raise complaints and whether the complaints process is fair and effective.

With the NIHE increasingly using temporary accommodation for those in housing crisis the ombudsman will also consider whether the standards used to ensure that type of accommodation are suitable.

As the country’s largest social housing provider, NIHE is responsible for 83,000 homes.

Figures published last month show that in the first quarter of this year 49,083 households in Northern Ireland were on a social housing waiting list.

Margaret Kelly said “it is critical that the Housing Executive maintain their properties appropriately and respond to the concerns of tenants”.

When the report has been published it will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly.