CIH Northern Ireland condemns violent unrest

Responding to the horrific knife attack in North Belfast on Monday and last night’s violence, intimidation and deliberate targeting of residential homes, Justin Cartwright, director of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland and CIH equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) lead, has condemned the violent unrest, and called for community cohesion.

“Our thoughts are with the victim of Monday night’s horrific knife attack in North Belfast, as well as with his family and loved ones. This was a heinous, brutal act, and the person responsible must face the full force of the justice system.

“The violent disorder that has followed is entirely unacceptable and must be condemned without reservation. There is no justification for exploiting a traumatic crime to spread hatred, fear and division.

“Over the last 24 hours, we have seen deeply distressing scenes of families – including young children and people who originally fled war to seek safety here – being violently driven from their neighbourhoods. To set fire to residential properties, to intimidate people based on their skin colour or country of origin, and to target Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) is a direct, reprehensible violation of the fundamental right to a safe home.

“A home should be a sanctuary. When people are terrified to sit in their own living rooms, the fabric of our society is torn. Last year, we made it clear that adequate housing is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves the peaceful enjoyment of their home regardless of race or ethnicity. To see similar, racially motivated displacement happening again a year later demonstrates that we face a systemic threat to community cohesion that cannot be ignored.

“As the EDI Lead for CIH, I want to be entirely clear that racism, xenophobia and targeted intimidation have no place in our housing system or our society. We stand in full solidarity with the victims, the emergency responders and the public sector workers who were caught in the crossfire of this violence. We call on all political and community leaders to not only condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms but to work alongside the housing sector to deliver robust, long-term frameworks that protect tenants, secure neighbourhoods and foster genuine inclusion.”

Sector support and action

As part of its ongoing UK-wide EDI strategy, CIH actively works to equip the housing sector with practical community cohesion support alongside its dedicated landlord campaign to embed inclusive practices across the housing sector. Resources on EDI can be found in CIH's Knowledge Hub. CIH continues to provide leadership and myth-busting resources regarding the housing rights of non-UK nationals, ensuring that fairness and legal compliance remain at the heart of housing delivery.

For anyone currently affected by this unrest, immediate and practical support is available. CIH encourages tenants and families facing housing insecurity, intimidation or displacement – and their advisors – to use the independent advice provided via the CIH Housing Rights website.