The Housing Council has a duty to advise the Minister on housing matters and to examine housing matters from a strategic perspective.
It is an advisory and consultative body considering any matter affecting housing referred to it by the Department for the Social Development or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or any matter which appears to the Housing Council to be a matter pertinent to housing on the wider front. While the Housing Council’s main business is with the Department for Social Development as the Department responsible for housing, and the Housing Executive as the strategic regional housing authority, the Housing Council may however consult with or be consulted by, other organisations on a wide range of housing-related matters.
The Housing Council is also a monitoring body taking the view that it is not sufficient merely to be advised and consulted upon on new policies and initiatives but that it is necessary to ensure that progress reports and monitors on performance against key performance indicators and objectives are brought regularly to the Housing Council or its Committees by those responsible for ensuring the delivery of housing services.
The Housing Council meets regularly with the Minister for Social Development making representations to the Minister on the Housing Council’s concerns or views on current housing matters. Four Members also represent the Housing Council on the Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The Housing Council is also represented at key housing events and conferences and has been actively involved in many broader consultation documents and Examinations in Public.
In addition to meetings with the Social Development Minister, Members also meet with Ministers from other Departments as and when necessary for example with regard to funding. The Housing Council keeps abreast of housing developments on the national and international front by sending representatives to key housing events and conferences.