To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the rational for veterans not being listed as a specific category in the Housing Executive's Homelessness Guidance Manual, Chapter Five: Priority Need.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has statutory responsibility for providing homelessness assistance in Northern Ireland. When exercising its functions in relation to housing allocation, homelessness and disabled facilities grants, due regard must be given to the principle of the Armed Forces Covenant that service members, veterans, and their families are treated fairly and receive the support that they need, including access to social housing in Northern Ireland.

This is an operational matter for the Housing Executive. I have sought the information requested from the Chief Executive who has advised me as follows:

“Article 5 (1) of the Housing (NI) Order 1988 sets out six distinct categories of persons having a priority need for accommodation. The Homelessness Guidance Manual is policy guidance for staff and reflects the legislative parameters within which the Housing Executive operates. Veterans are therefore not listed as a distinct category as this is not provided for in the relevant legislation.

In comparison to England, whereby the Housing Order 1996 allows Local Authorities in England to give additional Priority to members of the Armed Forces if they are identified as in urgent housing need, no such provision exists within Northern Ireland, or within the Housing (NI) Order 1988 which would allow the Housing Executive to do so.

Where an applicant is a former member of the Armed Forces, any and all circumstances/needs related to their service history should be taken into consideration. This may include any physical or mental health issues which a member of the armed forces may have (as a result of their service) and these will be taken into consideration in terms of establishing vulnerability in line with investigation of their homeless application.”