To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps the Housing Executive takes to balances the need to support tenants with complex needs with the need to protect other residents from ongoing antisocial behaviour.

This issue is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; they have advised me as follows:

“The Northern Ireland Housing Executive recognises that everyone has the right to live peacefully and safely within their community. In responding to anti-social behaviour, it seeks to balance the need to support tenants whose behaviour may be influenced by complex circumstances, such as mental health issues, addiction, trauma or other vulnerabilities, with its responsibility to protect other residents from ongoing nuisance, harassment or intimidation.

Through its tenancy sustainment approach, as set out in the Tenancies that Thrive Strategy 2025-2030, the Housing Executive aims to identify support needs at an early stage and connect tenants with appropriate services and interventions. This includes tenancy sustainment initiatives and targeted support designed to help individuals address underlying issues, sustain their tenancy and reduce negative impacts on neighbours and the wider community.

The Housing Executive adopts an incremental and proportionate approach to anti-social behaviour. Most cases are resolved through early intervention measures, including advice, support referrals, warning letters and engagement by local office staff. However, where behaviour persists and continues to adversely affect others, the Housing Executive will take appropriate enforcement action, including the use of legal remedies where necessary and proportionate. The Housing Executive also works with statutory, community and voluntary sector partners to support vulnerable tenants, promote community safety, provide access to mediation and restorative interventions, and develop local solutions to address anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.”