In a recent report, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing Raquel Rolnik has made specific reference to the impacts of housing inequality on the Catholic community in North Belfast. Whilst recognising the government efforts to address the inequality, Ms Rolnik observed that long-standing issues related to inequality continue to require concerted efforts. Ms Rolnik’s report was based on her Official Mission to the UK in August and September 2013.
During her visit, Ms Rolnik engaged with various stakeholders including housing development tenants, people affected by homelessness, and wide range of organisations involved in housing rights and relevant government agencies.
Recommendation number nine of Ms Rolnik’s report relates specifically to North Belfast and the importance of public participation in decision making about housing and the collection of official data. Urging action to reduce inequality, Ms Rolnik recommends the government “[P]ut in place additional efforts to address challenges to overcome persistent inequalities in housing in North Belfast. For this purpose, active, free and meaningful participation of all in decisions made about housing should be promoted, including in relation to the collection of official data, that should be disaggregated, open and accessible to all”.
Click here to download the full report.
Welcoming the report, Nicola Browne, Policy Director at housing organisation Participation and Practice of Rights said that “[T]he human impact of the inequality is people living in substandard and cramped accommodation that impacts their health and that of their children”.
Click here to read an article by Kate Ward on housing inequality in North Belfast on the RIGHTSNI blog.