Northern Ireland Housing Associations | NIFHA | Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations

Useful Links by NIFHA

NIFHA is pleased to work and develop partnerships with a diverse range of organisations in Northern Ireland with an interest in housing. Please click on the various titles below to lead you to the different linked organisations.

Please note, however, the views expressed on their websites are not necessarily those of NIHFA.

If you would like to submit your organisation's website for inclusion on this website, please email NIFHA with a brief explanation of your organisation and its interest in housing together with the URL link to your organisation's website home page.

ADVICE

Advice NI
Supports advice organisations to deliver quality free advice. They will provide valuable information on social issues affecting you and your community as well as direct you to your local advice provider.
http://www.adviceni.net/index.cfm

AdviceGuide
On-line, practical, reliable, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics, including benefits, housing, employment and debt, consumer and legal issues
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nireland.htm

Citizens Advice
Working against poverty and meeting the information and advice needs of people in NI across a wide range of advice categories.
http://www.citizensadvice.co.uk/

Housing Advice NI
Providing free, reliable and practical information on housing and homelessness issues in Northern Ireland
http://www.housingadviceni.org/

Parents Advice Centre
Aiming to help parents, and other family members, to improve their ability to function within the family by giving support, guiding individuals to find their own solutions and using basic counselling skills.
http://www.pachelp.org/

ARCHITECTURAL

Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
Promoting the appreciation and enjoyment of architecture from the prehistoric to the present in the nine counties of Ulster, and to encourage its preservation and conservation.
http://www.uahs.co.uk/

CHARITIES

Action Cancer
Providing early detection, counselling and support services for cancer patients and their families throughtout NI.
http://www.actioncancer.org/aboutac.asp

Aware
Existing to support people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, depression or manic depression and their carers.
http://www.aware-ni.org/index.htm

Barnardo's
Barnardo's helps children, young people and their families over the long term to overcome the most severe disadvantages.
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/northernireland/

Children's Law Centre
Works in partnership with children and other agencies committed to releasing children's rights.
http://www.childrenslawcentre.org/

Contact a Family
Providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their health condition. They enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/nireland/index.html

Cruse Bereavement Care
Promoting the well-being of bereaved people, and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
Confidential Day-by-Day Freephone Helpline:
0870 167 1677.
Youth website: www.rd4u.org.uk
Child project, providing a service to parents following the loss of a child: 028 9079 795.
http://www.cruse.org.uk/

Disability Action
Working to ensure people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens, by supporting inclusion, influencing Government policy and changing attitudes in partnership with disabled people.
http://www.disabilityaction.org/

Gingerbread NI
Supporting lone parents and their children through Advice, Childcare, Membership and Training.
http://www.gingerbreadni.org

Home-Start
Offering support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children. They recruit and train volunteers, who are usually parents themselves, to visit families at home offering informal, friendly and confidential support.
http://www.home-start.org.uk/

NI Council for Ethnic Minorities
Providing services and support to ethnic minorities in NI
http://www.nicem.org.uk

NICVA
The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is the umbrella body for voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland.
http://www.nicva.org

NSPCC
The UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/helpandadvice/whoturnto/projects/projects%20in%20your%20area_wda38365.html

reach ni
reach ni is a social economy project bringing together more than thirty years experience in professional consultancy services to Community and Voluntary organisations.
http://www.reach-ni.co.uk/index.html

Relate NI
Offering confidential relationship counselling for those who have relationship or marital problems. They also offer RelateTeen, family counselling and physcosexual therapy.
http://www.relateni.org/index.php?section=1

Rethink
Dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by severe mental illness, whether they have a condition themselves, care for others who do, or are professionals or volunteers working in the mental health field.
http://www.rethink.org/

Simon Community Northern Ireland
Simon Community believes that everyone has a fundamental right to a home. They actively respond to the needs of homeless people through initiatives aimed at prevention, provision and progression to independent living.
http://www.simoncommunity.org

Society of St Vincent de Paul
Enhancing the quality of life for those in need, regardless of creed, colour or caste"
http://www.svp-ni.org/

Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT)
A charity proving affordable loan finance to the social economy sector only.
http://www.ucitltd.com

Women's Aid
Providing a wide range of services to women and children affected by domestic violence throughout Northern Ireland. We offer a safe place to stay in refuges or outreach support for those remaining at home.
http://www.niwaf.org/

CONSTRUCTION

Construction Employers' Federation
The representative body for the Northern Ireland Construction Industry.
http://www.cefni.co.uk

National House Building Council
The NHBC is the standard setting body and leading warranty and insurance provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK.
http://www.nhbcbuilder.co.uk/

DATA PROTECTION

British Security Industry Association
The trade association for the professional security industry in the UK.
http://www.bsia.co.uk/LY8LXF71199

Data Protection Act 1998
The Act which makes provision for the regulation of the processing of information relating to individuals, including the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of such information.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/Acts1998/ukpga_19980029_en_1

Information Commissioner's Office
The UK's independent authority set up to promote access to official information and to protect personal information
http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Public Records of NI
PRONI aims to identify, preserve and make available Northern Ireland's unique archival heritage and community memory.
http://www.proni.gov.uk/index.htm

ECO-FRIENDLY INITIATIVES

BREEAM / EcoHomes
EcoHomes is the homes version of BREEAM. It provides an authoritative rating for new, converted or renovated homes, and covers both houses and apartments.
http://www.breeam.org/ecohomes.html

Energy Performance Certificates NI
Giving information on the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) in Northern Ireland.
http://www.epcni.com/

Energy Saving Trust (NI)
The Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre offers free and impartial advice and support on energy efficiency, renewable energy and low carbon transport, to all householders in Northern Ireland via a freephone 0800 512 012. To find out how you can make your home energy efficient you can also complete a FREE Home Energy Check online at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/check.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/northern_ireland_advice_centre/

ENF Industry Directory
ENF’s site has a detailed directory of photovoltaic equipment manufacturers, as well as brand ratings of the quality of photovoltaic equipment as rated by installation experts. A list of solar installation companies that operate in the UK can also be found.
http://www.enf.cn/

The Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is an independent company funded by Government. Its role is to help the UK move to a low carbon economy by helping business and the public sector reduce carbon emissions now and capture the commercial opportunities of low carbon technologies.
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/default.ct

The Renewable Energy Centre
A useful resource covering energy saving and renewable technologies.
http://www.therenewableenergycentre.co.uk

EQUALITY

Community Relations Council
The Community Relations Council was set up to promote better community relations between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland and, equally, to promote recognition of cultural diversity.
http://www.community-relations.org.uk

NI Council for Ethnic Minorities
Providing services and support to ethnic minorities in NI
http://www.nicem.org.uk

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is an independent public body established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Commission's general duties include, working towards the elimination of discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity and encouraging good practice.
http://www.equalityni.org

GENERAL

Consumerline
Providing you with useful and practical consumer advice.
http://www.consumerline.org

DirectGov - Home and Housing Options for Disabled People
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HomeAndHousingOptions/index.htm

General Consumer Council for NI
Promoting and safeguarding the interests of all consumers in Northern Ireland. It campaigns on behalf of consumers for the best possible standards of service and protection; undertakes research and data collection; gives advice, information and issues publications. It deals with individual complaints about passenger transport, coal, natural gas and electricity.
http://www.gccni.org.uk/

NHS Direct
NHS Direct is a new 24 hour nurse led telephone advice and information service and is part of the National Health Service. By calling NHS Direct you and your family have round the clock access to information and advice about health, illness and health services.
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

The Northern Ireland Ombudsman
The aim of the Ombudsman is to provide an independent and free system for investigating complaints from people who claim to have suffered personal injustice through maladministration by Northern Ireland government departments, agencies, public and local bodies and the Health and Personal Social Services.
http://www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk

TV Licensing
Details on how to update, buy or renew online.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index.jsp

GOVERNMENT

Child Benefit
Universal Payment made to a person bringing up a child.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/index.htm

Child Benefit
Assesses and pays social security benefits and gives advice and information about the schemes.

Benefit Enquiry
0800 220 674
0800 243 787 (minicom)
Crisis Loan
0800 028 8822
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/ssa.htm

Child Support Agency
They assess, collect and pay child support maintenance, ensuring that parents who live apart meet their financial responsibilities to their children.
http://www.csa.gov.uk/

Child Trust Fund
A savings and investment account for children living in the UK for whom Child Benefit has been awarded and who were born on or after 1st September 2002.
http://www.childtrustfund.gov.uk/

Department for Social Development
The DSD has strategic responsibility for urban regeneration, community and voluntary sector development, social legislation, housing, social security benefits, pensions and child support.
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/

DirectGov
Directgov is the website of the UK government for its citizens, providing information and online services for the public all in one place.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

NI Housing Executive
Providing everyone with the opportunity to access decent, affordable housing in safe and sustainable communities.
http://www.nihe.gov.uk/

Rates Collection Agency
Collector of revenue contributing to the funding of public services provided at a district level (the district rate) and at regional level (the regional rate).
http://www.rca.nics.gov.uk/

Sure-Start
A programme which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities.
http://www.surestart.gov.uk/

HOUSING FEDERATIONS

CECODHAS
CECODHAS, established in 1988, is the European network for the promotion of the right to decent housing for all.
http://www.cecodhas.org/

Community Housing Cymru
Community Housing Cymru is a membership body serving housing associations and associated support providers in Wales. We exist to enable our members to work effectively and flourish in Wales
http://www.chcymru.org.uk/index.html

Irish Council of Social Housing
The ICSH now represents over 200 affiliated housing associations and other voluntary organisations involved in housing or hostel services, providing accommodation of over 15,500 homes
http://www.icsh.ie/

National Housing Federation
The National Housing Federation represents 1,400 independent, not-for-profit housing associations in England and is the voice of affordable housing. Our members provide over 2 million homes for 4 million people.
http://www.housing.org.uk/

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
SFHA is owned by its membership and exists to support the work of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland by providing services, advice and good practice guidance.
http://www.sfha.co.uk/sfha.asp

HOUSING ORGANISATIONS

Chartered Institute of Housing in NI
The professional organisation for people who work in housing.
http://www.cih.org/home_ni/

Council for the Homeless
Providing training, information, research and collective representation for over 100 organisations working with homeless people throughout NI.
http://www.chni.org.uk/

Housing Advice NI
Dedicated to helping people deal with their housing problems. Advice is available free of charge 24 hours a day from Shelterline on: 0808 800 4444.
http://www.housingadviceni.org/

Housing Rights Service
Housing Rights Service is the leading provider of specialist independent housing advice, training and information in Northern Ireland. The organisation works to achieve positive change by protecting and promoting the rights of people who are in housing need in Northern Ireland.
http://www.housingrights.org.uk

Shelter (NI)
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_services_directory/northern_ireland

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Regional housing authority for Northern Ireland.
http://www.nihe.gov.uk

SUPPORTING PEOPLE

Northern Ireland Housing Executive - Supporting People Section
Information on the Supporting People programme in Northern Ireland.A partnership between the NI Housing Executive, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the four area Health and Social Services Boards and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland with Housing Association involvement too.
http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/wwu_home/supporting_people-3.htm

Supporting People Communities and Local Government (England)
Information on the Supporting People programme operating in England.
http://www.spkweb.org.uk/