Cllr Tony Hassan. Sinn Fein’s housing spokesperson.
SINN Féin Housing spokesperson Councillor Tony Hassan is to bring a motion to council this week calling on the Communities Minister to bring forward a replacement to the Housing Selection Scheme that ensures a fairer and more transparent system of assessing housing need.
And that the Council calls on the Minister to bring forward the required regulation/legislation to give effect to this motion without undue delay.
Councillor Hassan said: “I feel it’s very important that there is an overhaul of the housing points system here.
“I see the impact its currently has on applicants in Derry and the many people who are missing out on getting on the social housing ladder.
“Sinn Féin have met with the Minister on a number of occasions and stressed the need for the system to be reviewed.
“The current scheme is failing many people and intimidation points are being abused in order to secure housing.
“The present scheme is not fit for purpose; it does not recognise people suffering from domestic violence or anti-social behaviour.
“We need to develop a housing selection scheme that is robust and fair,” he added.
