Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
Part II of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (“the Order”) imposes on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive duties in relation to persons who are found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness. Article 7A of the Order provides that a person is not eligible for assistance under Part II if he is a person from abroad who is ineligible for that assistance (paragraph (1)) and that the Secretary of State has power to make provision, by regulations, as to other descriptions of persons who are to be treated as persons from abroad who are ineligible for that assistance (paragraph (2)).
These Regulations, which come into operation on 1st May 2004, revoke the Homelessness Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
The new Regulations provide that, with certain specified exceptions, a person who is not habitually resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland is not eligible for housing assistance under Part II of the Order. They further provide that a person shall not be treated as habitually resident if he has no right to reside in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. In addition, they provide that a person is ineligible if his right to reside in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland derives solely from Council Directive 90/364/EEC (on the right of residence of nationals of Member States who do not enjoy this right under other provisions of Community law) or 90/365/EEC (on the right of residence for employees and self-employed persons who have ceased their occupational activity).
These Regulations do not have effect in the case of any application for housing assistance made before 1st May 2004 (regulation 4).
A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as they have no impact on the costs of business.