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  2. Property and housing
  3. Social housing
  4. Housing associations

Housing associations - how to apply

Registered housing associations (RHAs) offer properties for rent. To be considered for housing association accommodation, you apply. You can also use the same form to apply for Housing Executive (NIHE) accommodation.

Applying for social housing

If you want accommodation from a housing association or the Housing Executive, you must fill in an application form. You use the same form for all social housing landlords. You can collect an application form in any Housing Executive or housing association office.

You should send your form to the Housing Executive or any housing association. The Housing Executive will visit you, assess your housing need and make sure that you are registered on the waiting list.

You can also contact housing associations directly and ask about their policies for letting accommodation to tenants.

If you're unhappy with the housing association's decision

All housing associations have a formal complaints procedure. If you apply for social housing and you 're unhappy with the decision or how they treated your application, you can complain to the housing association. 

If you complain but are still dissatisfied after they respond, you can refer your complaint to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.

  • Northern Ireland Ombudsman

Housing information in other languages

You can find out more about the housing rights of EEA nationals in Northern Ireland on the Housing Advice website.

The site has information in English, Polish, Lithuanian, Slovak, Russian and Portuguese. You can learn more about renting privately, homelessness, sharing a home, paying for your accommodation and other issues that affect migrant workers:

  • Housing Advice - Polish language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - Lithuanian language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - Slovak language - Housing Rights  website
  • Housing Advice - Russian language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - Portuguese language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - Romanian language - Housing Rights  website
  • Housing Advice - Bulgarian language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - French language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - Mandarin language - Housing Rights website
  • Housing Advice - Cantonese language - Housing Rights  website
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Housing associations

  • Affordable housing through housing associations
  • Housing associations - how to apply
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