All-Ireland Housing Awards 2026
Read all the shortlisted entries into this award category, excellence in communication, at the All-Ireland Housing Awards (AIHA) 2026 and find out who won the award on the night.
This award recognises landlords whose communication(s) with their tenants and residents has been outstanding over the past year, keeping them fully informed and supported.
Winning project name
Domestic Abuse Awareness Week Communications Campaign
Winning organisation
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Statement of support
The inaugural Domestic Abuse Awareness Week held from 20-24 October 2025, was a groundbreaking initiative that united communities, partners, and survivors to shine a light on domestic abuse and its link to homelessness. Through a powerful, multi-channel communications campaign and collaborative engagement, NIHE delivered a week of impactful events and messaging that not only raised awareness but drove meaningful conversations and action across Northern Ireland.
The week was run in partnership with key partners: Women’s Aid, Men’s Advisory Project and PSNI and was supported by additional partners from the community and voluntary sector, survivors of domestic abuse and local politicians.
A strong communications campaign was vital to raise awareness of domestic abuse and inform our tenants and customers about the help and support available from NIHE and partners.
NIHE corporate communications department worked closely with NIHE somestic abuse team in the months preceding the awareness week to identify the communication objectives and create an engaging communication campaign.
The objectives of the communication campaign were:
- Increase awareness of the connection between domestic abuse and homelessness
- Promote understanding of the support available from NIHE and partner organisations
- Encourage greater uptake of support services.
Strategy and execution
- Developed a branded, multi-channel communications campaign under the new Domestic Abuse Awareness Week DAAWNI identity, ensuring consistency and visibility across all platforms
- Created a partner communications pack to embed the brand and amplify reach through Women’s Aid, Men’s Advisory Project, PSNI, and other community partners - www.nihe.gov.uk/working-with-us/media-and-pr/domestic-abuse-awareness-week
- Delivered a week-long programme of events with public, partner and survivor participation, including donation drives/coffee mornings, a candlelight vigil, round-table talks, wellbeing sessions, and a school art competition
- Leveraged social media, press releases, and partner channels to drive engagement and attendance, supported by calls-to-action linking to NIHE and partner resources. You can see more of the social media campaign on our NIHE X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram channels. Link to posts on Facebook - www.facebook.com/hashtag/daawni2025
- Leveraged internal communication channels to raise awareness and encourage staff participation in events and information sharing with our tenants and customers.
Innovation and collaboration
- First-ever Domestic Abuse Awareness Week for housing in NI, setting a precedent for future campaigns
- Strong cross-sector collaboration with statutory, voluntary, and community partners, survivors, and local politicians
- Introduced interactive elements such as Instagram stories, video content, and partner-led messaging to normalise conversations around domestic abuse and encourage people to seek support.
Feedback
We received feedback on the campaign through social media and event participants.
- “We can’t thank you and the staff enough for all you have done during #DAAWNI2025 and in making life better for men who use our services with all of your hard work, generosity and thoughtful collaboration.” Men’s Advisory Project
- “What I really love about this awareness week that you are running is the fact that the more we talk about domestic abuse, the more conversations we have about domestic abuse and the more we normalise this language, we will start to break down the stigma around domestic abuse.” Gillian Creevy, Women’s Aid chief executive, ABCLN
- “We couldn’t be happier with how the Housing Executive are tackling domestic abuse and with the support that men are getting.” Rhonda Lusty, CEO Men’s Advisory Project
- “It’s blowing my mind sitting here today. It has been an incredible time. To sit here and see the work that the Housing Executive is doing, their plans going forward and hearing about the domestic abuse action plan, has been such an encouragement.
"I am a domestic abuse survivor and to see this work being done now and to see the help and support that’s being put in place for victims of domestic abuse is just amazing. If the support in place now had been put in place 10 years ago I know that I would have left my situation a lot sooner.
“It just amazing thinking of young girls and women coming along will have a much better experience because it takes such compassion to do what you’ve done.” Satania Rowland-Miller, legislative theatre performer and Women’s Aid service user.
Outcomes and achievements
- Social media reach:
- 48 posts across NIHE channels generated 126,000 impressions, 22,800 video views, and nearly 700 likes.
- Posts shared almost 200 times, with 102 link clicks driving traffic to support resources.
- Website engagement:
- Domestic Abuse Awareness Week page: 64 views during campaign period - www.nihe.gov.uk/working-with-us/media-and-pr/domestic-abuse-awareness-week
- Domestic Abuse Support page: 93 views during campaign week (up from 32 the previous week) - www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/domestic-abuse-support/domestic-abuse-support
- Media coverage:
- Featured in regional press and radio, including Downtown/Cool FM and local newspapers.
- Event attendance:
- Strong turnout at all events, with positive feedback highlighting collaboration and shared learning.
NIHE’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Week was more than a campaign – it was a catalyst for change. By combining strategic communications, innovative engagement, and strong partnerships, the initiative successfully raised awareness, encouraged dialogue, and strengthened pathways to support. This campaign exemplifies excellence in communications and has made a significant contribution to tackling one of society’s most pressing issues.
Shortlisted entries
Ark Housing - Social Housing Information Flyer
Application entry
- Project name: Social Housing Information Flyer
- Lead organisation: Ark Housing
- Partner organisations: Woven Housing, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, South Belfast Alternatives, Greater Village Regeneration
Statement of support
In 2024, Ark Housing, in partnership with Woven, South Belfast Alternatives, Greater Village Regeneration, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), launched a resident-focused communication initiative to address misinformation and tensions within the community. Following consultations with residents through focus groups and workshops, the partnership identified a need for clear, accessible housing information. The project demonstrates how clear, user-centred communication can improve understanding of housing processes and support positive engagement in the community.
The initiative addressed common misconceptions about housing allocations, including Choice Based Lettings, the points system, and the shared waiting list. To make this information more accessible, the partners co-designed a “myth-busting” flyer, supported by professional design to ensure clarity and engagement, particularly for residents who may find traditional documentation challenging.
Ark Housing played a central role in coordinating the partnership, helping ensure a consistent message across community and statutory organisations. By providing accurate information proactively, the project has helped reduce the administrative burden on frontline staff while building transparency and trust in the housing allocation process.
The impact is evident through the launch of the flyer at three community information events in South Belfast, where residents could ask questions and receive guidance directly. The project has helped reduce misinformation and contributed to a more informed and connected community. Designed with wider use in mind, the flyer now serves as a template for clear, accessible housing communication that can be replicated across Northern Ireland.
Outcomes and achievements
The Social Housing Information Flyer project has delivered significant, measurable outcomes for the South Belfast community and the wider housing sector.
Key achievements include:
- Community reach: The initiative engaged residents through three targeted launch events, providing a direct way to share clear information on housing processes.
- Improved understanding: Feedback from residents and community groups indicated a noticeable reduction in confusion about the points system and allocations, with fewer disputes arising from common misconceptions.
- Collaborative approach: The project brought together Ark Housing, Woven, NIHE, and South Belfast Alternatives to deliver consistent messaging, creating a unified approach to social housing communication.
- Scalable resource: The flyer has been recognised as a practical example of accessible communication and could be adapted for use across other housing associations in Northern Ireland to support transparency and fairness.
Through user-centred design and accessible information, the partnership has transformed a source of confusion into a valuable resource for the community and for organisations delivering housing advice and support.
Galway City Council - Affordable Housing Communication
Application entry
- Project name: Affordable Housing Communication
- Lead organisation: Galway City Council
Statement of support
With the introduction of Part V Affordable Housing obligations, Galway City Council recognised that a new, innovative communication strategy was essential. As Local Authorities began providing non social housing for the first time in over a decade, the traditional legislative requirement – a single newspaper advertisement – was not enough to build public understanding or demonstrate demand. Galway City set out to create a highly visible, accessible, and educational communication model that would both inform the public and encourage developers to exceed minimum Affordable Housing delivery.
Innovative Communication Approach
Galway City began by transforming its website into a comprehensive, user friendly information hub. The goal was to create a one stop shop where potential applicants could find everything they needed without confusion or barriers. The site included sample documents, a step by step guide, and a detailed FAQ section, all presented in a clear and visually accessible format. This ensured that applicants could understand the Affordable Housing process long before applications opened.
To broaden awareness, Galway City expanded far beyond the statutory newspaper notice. The Council launched a coordinated communication campaign across local newspapers and social media platforms, ensuring consistent messaging and wide reach. This approach normalised Affordable Housing as a mainstream option and helped upskill the public on how the scheme worked.
A key element of the strategy was a well publicised four hour Information Evening. This event allowed potential applicants to meet staff face to face, ask questions, and receive personalised guidance. Staff demonstrated how the online application portal operated, offered practical tips, and helped applicants understand their best options. The philosophy was simple: over communicate, remove fear, and build trust. This direct engagement proved invaluable in preparing applicants and ensuring confidence in the process.
Impact and Outcomes
The results were exceptional. Demand exceeded the number of available units by a factor of twenty, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of the communication strategy. This high level of interest also served a strategic purpose: it signalled to developers that Affordable Housing was both needed and viable, encouraging them to consider delivering more than the minimum Part V requirement.
All successful applicants completed the full transaction process and are now in situ, reflecting the clarity and support provided throughout the journey.
Capturing Authentic Customer Experience
Following the successful completion of the scheme, Galway City sought to deepen public understanding by sharing real homeowner experiences. Rather than issuing a standard promotional post, the Council engaged an independent PR consultant to interview willing homeowners. This ensured an unbiased, authentic account of the Affordable Housing journey – from motivations for applying to reflections on the overall process.
To preserve the integrity of the piece, Galway City had no input into the interviews or the final article. The resulting feature, accompanied by photographs, was published in local newspapers, shared on the Council’s website and social media channels, and added to Daft.ie. . The aim was not to advertise, but to provide a genuine, relatable insight into the process, helping future applicants understand what to expect and highlighting the benefits of the scheme.
Outcomes and achievements
Galway City’s communication strategy exceeded requirements, prioritised transparency, and placed the public at the centre of the process. By combining clear information, proactive engagement, and authentic storytelling, the Council set a new standard for communication in Affordable Housing delivery and created a model that can be replicated for future schemes.
