Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has attributed social housing tenancy fraud in Northern Ireland to a lack of social housing.
East Belfast representative Mr Copeland, who is also his Party’s spokesperson on Social Development issues, said:
“Social housing tenancy fraud in Northern Ireland is a serious problem which is in no small part fuelled by a lack of social housing.
The findings of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General are clear evidence of failure by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department of Social Development to ascertain who exactly is occupying their properties. Occupancy is ultimately the responsibility of the landlord, regardless of the sector, and more work needs to be carried out in order to get this illegality under control.
This problem could get worse in the future as the Housing Executive faces its proposed reform and privatisation. I would have serious reservations about the impact of higher rents and the lack of democratic accountability of any new body which could allow issues such as housing fraud to escalate.”