Help with housing
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)
Housing Help
Advice on housing benefit, applying for a home, homelessness, grants and more. Find out more HERE
Discretionary Housing Payment
The Discretionary Housing Payment scheme allows us to provide extra help with your rent if your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit does not fully cover your rent charge. Each Discretionary Housing Payment is considered on a case-by-case basis and on its own merit.
Discretionary Housing Payments are intended to help tenants living in the private rented sector sustain their tenancy and prevent and alleviate homelessness.
If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent then read the following to see if you might be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment.
https://www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/housing-benefit/more-help-with-paying-your-housing-costs
Co Ownership
Your first step towards home ownership
Buying a home in Northern Ireland can feel challenging, especially if the full purchase price or deposit is out of reach. Co-Ownership offers an affordable home ownership solution through shared ownership, helping you move into a home sooner without needing to buy it all at once.
With Co-Ownership, you purchase the share of the property you can afford. Co-Ownership purchase the remainder. You pay a mortgage on your share and a modest rent on the Co-Ownership share. This reduces the upfront cost of buying and keeps monthly payments manageable.
Over time, if your circumstances change, you can increase your share, even up to full ownership if that’s your goal. There’s no pressure and no fixed timeline. You move at a pace that works for you.
For more information please visit: https://co-ownership.org/
Or you can download the brochures for Co-Ownership and Co-Ownership for Over 55’s products.
https://co-ownership.s3-assets.com/Files/CoOwn-Brochure-September-2026.pdf
https://co-ownership.s3-assets.com/Files/Co-Own-for-Over-O55s-Brochure-September-2026.pdf
Information on help with Rates
There is information available on support with paying your rates.
Visit NI Direct at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/guide-rates
You can call tel:+44-300-200-7801, or further contact details are available at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/land-property-services-lps-rate-rebate-team
Or clink on the following links for more specific information:
Rate Rebate Scheme for people on Universal Credit
Radius Housing
Cost of Living Support
Radius has created a guide providing cost of living advice.
Apex Housing
Cost of Living: Advice and Guidance
Apex provides up-to-date information and guidance to help you cope with the cost of living.
First Housing
First Housing Aid and Support Services is a voluntary sector non-profit making organisation in operation since 1989 which provides professional advice on housing in Northern Ireland and solutions to people who find themselves in housing difficulties.
Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support
Support service for young people, who have left, or are in the process of leaving care.
Find out more HERE