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The Housing Executive must interview you if you state you are homeless on your ' Housing And Transfer Application Form' or during your initial telephone assessment for social housing. The interview will look at your circumstances and the reason for your homelessness. Bring any documents that support your application.
The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it.
Why does the Housing Executive want to interview me?
The Housing Executive will examine your personal circumstances at the interview. You should explain the reasons why you are homeless. After the interview, the Housing Executive will decide on the assistance you are entitled to receive.
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Can I request a private interview?
You can request a private interview if you feel uncomfortable discussing your personal circumstances in public. You can also bring along a friend or an adviser for support.
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What will the Housing Executive assess at my interview?
Your first interview with the Housing Executive is extremely important. You should make sure the Housing Executive know all relevant personal details. The Housing Executive can't make assumptions about your personal circumstances. The Housing Executive will look at:
- the size of your household,
- your reasons for leaving your last accommodation,
- any problems at your last accommodation,
- any personal circumstances such as illness.
If you meet the four homelessness tests you will be entitled to permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive. If you do not meet any of the tests you will not be entitled to permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive as a homeless person. You can challenge the decision.
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What should I bring to my interview?
You should bring any documents you think support your application to your interview. This might include your tenancy agreement, a letter from your doctor, or a letter from the person who has asked you to leave your accommodation. Keep copies of all relevant documents in case you have a problem with your case. Advice agencies will usually ask for documents when you are looking for advice.
You are entitled to an interview even if you don't have your relevant documents.
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How will the Housing Executive tell me the decision?
The Housing Executive must send you a decision letter on your homeless application within 30 days. If the decision is negative, the letter must include reasons why the Housing Executive has decided you are not homeless or threatened with homelessness. If you want to challenge a negative decision, you should get advice from a specialist agency such as Housing Rights Service.
If you haven't received a decision letter from the Housing Executive within 30 days, you should get advice.
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What happens after the interview?
After your interview the Housing Executive should send you a letter explaining their decision within 30 days. If you have not received a decision letter within 30 days, contact the District Office for an explanation. The Housing Executive should also send you a Personal Housing Plan. This plan will contain information on the various housing options available to you and a summary of the interview you had with the Housing Officer who carried out your assessment.
If your circumstances change after the interview, inform the Housing Executive immediately.
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The Housing Executive won't interview me
In September 2010, the Housing Executive intoduced a new procedure of Desktop Assessments. This means that they may assess applications for social housing over the telephone rather than in person. However, the Housing Executive must interview you in person if you fall into any of these categories:
- you are homeless or threatened with homelessness;
- you are under 18 or over 69;
- you have health problems;
- your current accommodation is not suitable due to disrepair or overcrowding;
- you are homeless or are threatened with homelessness;
- you have dependent children and are currently living in shared accommodation, or
- your case has exceptional circumstances
If you state that you are homeless on your Housing and Transfer Application Form the Housing Executive must investigate your situation. If the Housing Executive refuses to investigate your application, get advice. Housing advice is available from Housing Rights Service.
The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it.
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