Put Housing Executive ‘into administration’

SIR, — There is nothing new in the recent statistics indicating a rise in homelessness and the knock-on effect this has on those waiting on social housing.

In short, the Housing Executive have utterly failed in meeting their obligation to provide adequate social housing in Northern Ireland. They washed their hands of this responsibility many years ago and handed it over to the housing associations.

Upon closer scrutiny the housing associations just shrug their shoulders and tell us they cannot buy enough land to build the number of houses required. Every now and again they will make a song and dance about building a very small number of social housing units.

The Housing Executive should be put into administration and the responsibility for social housing and homelessness handed over to local government. 

The framework legislation around the common selection scheme is old and unfair. Often I have to tell young people waiting for social housing that they have little or no chance of getting a house. 

I explain this in terms that they have to understand. I tell them they are waiting on a house that does not exist and will not exist. 

Every day I deal with the homeless situation and I can safely predict that it is only ever going to get worse. The number of homeless deaths in England and Wales is up 42% this year. The average life expectancy of a homeless man is just 47 years and 43 years for a homeless woman.

Homeless men are more likely to die from sudden and violent causes. They will fall off bridges and rooftops, they will die as result of a stabbing, a shooting or a beating. They are more likely to walk out in front of traffic or a train.

Most homeless premature deaths will be as result of drug or alcohol poisoning sometimes both. We hear a lot these days about inequality, but surely this must be the greatest inequality of all.

The Housing Executive has failed, the politicians have failed and our homeless hostels are packed to capacity with young people with little or no hope.

If we keep on doing the same thing we are going to keep on getting the same result.

Yours etc,

EDMUND J McCULLOUGH,

1 The Green,

Drumaness.