Travellers’ Accommodation
Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland
2008
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Acknowledgements
The Housing Executive’s Research Unit would like to thank all those involved in the Travellers’ Accommodation Needs
Assessment, in particular the following:
members of the Traveller community who participated in the survey, whose goodwill, patience and co-operation
made the survey possible;
the fieldwork team who brought valuable expertise and professionalism to the data collection stage of the
survey; and
the reference group for their input into the questionnaire and their support for the aims of the survey.
For further information on the research please contact:
Joe Frey
Head of Research
The Research Unit
NI Housing Executive
2 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8PB
Telephone: 02890318540
Email: [email protected]
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
FOREWORD
I am pleased to present this report, which is the second comprehensive Travellers’ Accommodation Needs
Assessment carried out across Northern Ireland. The report will update the 2002 Travellers’ Accommodation Needs
Assessment and will be used to inform and facilitate decisions around planning of future accommodation schemes
for the Traveller community, helping to alleviate the inadequate living conditions experienced by many Travellers.
Since the last report the successful transfer of council owned sites has been completed. Group housing schemes in
Derry/Londonderry and Belfast have been built by housing associations and a further scheme in Belfast, started in
March 2008, is due for completion next year. Site identification is continuing for transit site provision in Craigavon,
Newry and Belfast.
I would like to thank all those who took part in the reference group which oversaw the project, including An
Munia Tober, Support Groups from Armagh, Craigavon, Newry, Derry/Londonderry, Omagh, Department for
Social Development and the Equality Commission. I also wish to thank the team of researchers, especially the ‘Peer
Researchers’ from the Traveller community in Belfast. The involvement of these researchers, who have links with the
Traveller community in Northern Ireland, was extremely valuable in encouraging participation from this community.
The information from this latest Needs Assessment will be used to plan future accommodation schemes to help
alleviate the inadequate living conditions of many Traveller families in Northern Ireland.
The Housing Executive remains committed to working in partnership with other statutory agencies, voluntary and
support groups to bring about a better quality of life for Travellers.
Paddy McIntyre
Chief Executive
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Contents
1.
Background to the research
Page
7
2.
Key Findings
10
COMMENTARY
3.
Household Profile
13
4.
Travelling
17
5.
Health and Disability
19
6.Community Safety
20
7.Accommodation - Housing Needs
21
8.
26
Further Comments
9.Conclusions
27
Appendices
Appendix 1: presentation of findings
28
Appendix 2: tabular report
29
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1
Introduction
In 2002 the Housing Executive completed a comprehensive assessment of the accommodation needs
of all Traveller households in Northern Ireland. The impetus for the first needs assessment arose from
recommendations made in the final report of the Promoting Social Inclusion Working Group on Travellers in
December 2000. Recommendation 5 stated:
‘The Northern Ireland Housing Executive should undertake a comprehensive strategic needs assessment
of current and projected accommodation requirements of all Travellers in consultation with Traveller
organisations, members of the Traveller communities and District Councils.’
This report updates the previous accommodation needs assessment; it will also be used to inform and
facilitate decisions around the planning of future accommodation schemes for the Traveller community which
should help to alleviate problems associated with the inadequate living conditions of many Travellers. The
report contains comparisons, where appropriate, with findings from the Travellers’ Accommodation Needs
Assessment 2002.
1.2
Reference Group
As a first step in undertaking this research, the Housing Executive set up a reference group of interested
parties to oversee the project. Representatives from the following organisations agreed to join the reference
group:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
An Munia Tober
An Tearmann
Armagh Traveller Support Group
Craigavon Traveller Support Committee
Department for Social Development
Derry Traveller Support Group
Equality Commission
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Omagh Traveller Support Group
Traveller Family Support and Development Worker (Newry).
The role of the group was varied and included the following:
• The group would quality assure and validate findings of the research carried out.
• The wide membership of the group would ensure that agencies with an involvement in Traveller issues
would be invited to bring expertise. The diverse yet complementary range of experiences of those
attending would contribute to the effectiveness of the group.
• It was recognised at an early stage that it was important for the data collected and the means of collection
to be open to scrutiny. This openness allowed everyone associated with the project to give it their full
support.
1.3
Research Objectives
The main aims of the survey were to:
1. conduct an accommodation needs assessment of the Traveller community in Northern Ireland;
2. determine the housing, health and support needs of the Traveller community and examine any social
issues to be tackled; and
3. provide a socio-economic profile of, and inform future planning of accommodation for, the Traveller
population in Northern Ireland.
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
1.4
Methodology
In October 2007, following a selection procedure carried out in conjunction with the reference group, the
Housing Executive appointed sixteen interviewers to undertake the fieldwork for the Accommodation
Needs of Travellers. Twelve of the interviewers were experienced research consultants who had already
undertaken research in the Traveller community and the remainder were Travellers living in the Belfast area.
All interviewers were given a day-long training course to ensure consistency and quality.
In Belfast the support group felt that the Traveller community had the capacity to carry out ‘peer1’ research.
It was agreed that this methodology would be followed in Belfast and quality assured by the Housing
Executive. Although this approach meant that the methodology was not entirely consistent across Northern
Ireland, independent quality assurance undertaken by the Housing Executive ensured the comparability and
validity of all data collected during the research. Furthermore, the peer research element offered a useful and
important opportunity to develop research capacity among the Travellers themselves. On this basis a twopronged approach to the research was agreed: in Belfast, through peer research with quality assurance by the
Housing Executive, and outside Belfast, with a team of independent researchers appointed to work closely
with the Traveller support groups and under the direction of the project leader.
Due to the complexities of the survey, the Research Unit in consultation with the reference group decided
that face-to-face interviews were required to maximise the response rate. In view of the significance of the
project, it was felt that the involvement of people with links to, or who were representatives of, the Traveller
community in Northern Ireland was essential to encourage participation from this community.
The questionnaire design, analysis and report writing were the responsibility of the Housing Executive’s
Research Unit. The content of the questionnaire was agreed in consultation with the reference group. The
interviewers carried out face-to-face structured interviews over five months, from November 2007 to March
2008.
It was agreed that a ‘census’ approach should be adopted, whereby all possible Traveller households would
be interviewed. Initially, the Housing Executive’s Traveller Unit drew up a list of households from a number
of sources, including district councils and Housing Executive district offices. The Traveller support groups
throughout Northern Ireland also provided assistance; in addition, the Research Unit used a ‘snowball2’
sampling technique to maximise the number of households interviewed.
1.5
Questionnaire
Following consultation with the reference group, a needs assessment questionnaire was devised. The main
aims of the questionnaire were to:
• ascertain the tenure of the accommodation in which the Traveller households lived and measure their
satisfaction levels with their existing accommodation;
• determine the number of Travellers who exercised a nomadic way of life or still had aspirations to travel
occasionally;
• assess the preferred accommodation choice of Travellers; and
• assess the incidence of ill-health/disability in the Traveller community.
1.6
Response Rate
In total, 531 Traveller households were identified through consultation with Traveller support groups,
education and library boards, health visitors and the Housing Executive. The interviewers subsequently carried
out 449 face-to-face interviews across Northern Ireland.
1
2
Peer Research – research carried out by people from a similar background/culture as those being researched.
Snowball sampling involves identifying respondents who are then asked to refer researchers to other respondents.
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
As a general rule, if an interview had not been achieved on the first visit to an address, at least three further
attempts were made to interview the household. These visits were made at varying times of the day and
also in the evenings. If, at the end of the fieldwork period, interviewers had been unable to contact a
household member, the address was recorded as a non-contact. The research team was unable to contact 69
households in total and a further 13 households refused to take part in the survey. A breakdown of response
is provided in Table 1a.
Table 1a
Fully Completed Interviews
Non-Contact
Refusal
Total
Number
449
69
13
531
Percentage
85
13
2
100
As the exact number of Traveller households in Northern Ireland is prone to seasonal fluctuations, the
completeness of the overall number identified cannot be guaranteed. However, the number for this survey
was significantly higher than in 2002, when 452 Traveller households were identified. Based on the figures in
Table 1a, the response rate for the 2008 survey was high at 85%.
Monbrief, Craigavon.
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
2.0 KEY FINDINGS
2.1
Profile of Household/Household Reference Person (HRP):
• A total of 1,486 individuals were identified in 449 households across Northern Ireland.
• HRPs3 were predominantly female (60%).
• Almost half (45%) of HRPs were aged between 25 and 39 and only 6% were over 60.
• Most HRPs (85%) were economically inactive, with only 11% in employment. Almost half (47%) of HRPs
were looking after family/home.
• Almost two-fifths (39%) of HRPs were separated and the predominant household type was lone parent
(33%). For Northern Ireland’s population as a whole, the comparative figure for lone parent households is
6%4.
• Most households (94%) contained one family unit.
• One-quarter (25%) of households comprised more than five persons and one-fifth (20%) had only one
person.
• The younger age profile of the population is indicated by the fact that 28% of household members were
aged between six and 15 and 21% were aged five and under. For Northern Ireland’s population as a whole
only 22% are aged under 165.
• As would be expected, 98% of HRPs were Irish Travellers.
• The largest proportion (22%) of respondents resided in the Belfast area.
2.2 Travelling
• The survey confirmed that less than one-third (29%) of Traveller households actually travel and 62% of
respondents confirmed they had not travelled in the year before the survey.
• Almost all (94%) of those who travel said they normally do so during the summer months.
• 89% of respondents said they travel with family.
2.3
Health and Disability
The survey results confirm a high proportion of households had a household member with a disability or
health problem.
• More than one-quarter (26%) of respondents reported that they or other household members had a
disability which limits day-to-day activities and of these, 61% said there was one disabled household
member.
• More than two-fifths (41%) of households containing a disabled household member required specially
adapted accommodation and of these, almost half (48%) said appropriate adaptations had been carried out.
• 10% of household members had a mental health problem.
2.4
Community Safety
• Most respondents felt safe during the day, in their own home (94%) and walking around the area (94%).
• More than half (55%) of respondents had experienced crime that had occurred in the previous 12 months,
14% of respondents reported that they had experienced discrimination and 9% had received a verbal threat.
• Almost two-thirds (64%) of those respondents who had stated that they, or a member of their household,
had been a victim of crime, felt the reason had been their ethnic origin.
2.5
Accommodation - Housing Needs
This section summarises the key findings from the core of this research project, providing the evidence
base for the Housing Executive, in partnership with the Traveller community, to develop schemes which will
address outstanding housing need in the Traveller community.
Current accommodation
• More than two-fifths (42%) of respondents were living in social housing, 21% on serviced sites, 9% in
privately rented accommodation and 7% on unauthorised sites.
10
See Appendices for the definition of the Household Reference Person (HRP).
NISRA 2006 based household projections (www.nisra.gov.uk).
5
NISRA 2006 based household projections (www.nisra.gov.uk).
3
4
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
• The vast majority of households had access to key services in their accommodation: 89% had access to
electricity and toilet facilities and 87% had access to mains water.
Length of time at current accommodation
• The survey confirmed that the majority (82%) of respondents had lived at their current accommodation for
more than one year.
• Of the remaining 18%, nearly one-third (31%) had lived in the South [Republic of Ireland] before moving to
their current accommodation.
• More than three-quarters (78%) of respondents expected to remain in their current accommodation for
more than one year.
Overall satisfaction with current accommodation
• More than half (53%) of respondents were very satisfied/satisfied with the standard of their current
accommodation.
• 43% thought their current accommodation was better than their previous accommodation.
Previous accommodation
• 31% of respondents said their previous accommodation had been social housing.
2.6
Evidence of Housing Need
Preferred accommodation
• 30% said they would prefer social housing and 19% would prefer grouped accommodation.
• 27% said they did not need accommodation.
Preferred location
• 26% of respondents said they would prefer to live in the Belfast area.
Glen Road Heights, Belfast.
11
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Housing Need: Preferred and Current Accommodation
Table 1b
Preferred Accommodation
Grouped Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Frequency
Serviced Site
Transit Site
38
6
Unauthorised Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
5
7
6
21
83
Total
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Co-operated Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Rented
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Transit Site
Unauthorised Site
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Settled Accommodation
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Other
Total
Other
Serviced Site
Total
All households
11
17
23
2
4
57
2
1
3
18
4
7
24
4
57
2
2
202
Analysis of Table 1b shows that there is a gross need for 83 units of grouped accommodation, 57 serviced site
pitches and 57 units of social housing. Of these households, 26 currently live in social housing. The knock-on
effects of developing, for example, a new grouped accommodation scheme may be the release of a number
of units on a serviced site, which may in turn release a number of units on a transit site, etc. The net housing
need is a much more complex calculation which is outside the scope of this research project and will be
undertaken by Strategic Partnerships in consultation with the Traveller community.
Number of people accommodated with HRP
• 47% said three or more people were accommodated with them.
• 20% said they expected household members to seek their own accommodation in the next three years.
The Housing Executive, in giving consideration to the findings of the research, will draw up a programme of
Traveller-specific schemes to address the identified need over the next five years.
In drawing up a programme of schemes, the Housing Executive will give consideration to greatest need, land
availability, compatibility and consultation with individuals, families and the wider community.
12
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
COMMENTARY
3.0 Household Profile
3.1
Gender and age of Household Reference Person (HRP)
Three-fifths (60%) of HRPs were female and 38% were male; the remainder refused to state the gender of their
HRP (2%) (Table 4). In the 2002 survey, 57% were female and 43% were male.
Almost half (45%) of HRPs were aged between 25 and 39. Similar proportions were aged between 16 and
24 (19%) and between 40 and 59 (18%). A smaller proportion (6%) of HRPs were aged 60 or older (Table 5;
Figure 1).
Figure 1: Age of Household Reference Person (%)
50
45
25
19
20
18
11
6
5
1
16-24
25-39
40-59
2008
60+
No Response/Refused
2002
3.2
Employment status of HRP
Almost half (47%; 41% in 2002) of HRPs were looking after family/home, 16% were not working short-term (<1
year) and 9% were permanently sick/disabled. Almost one-tenth (8%) were not working long-term (>1 year)
and the same proportion (8%) were self-employed. Fewer respondents were retired (5%), working part-time
(2%) and working full-time (1%). The remainder (5%) refused to state the HRP’s employment status (Table 6).
3.3
Marital status of HRP
Almost two-fifths (39%) of HRPs were separated, almost one-quarter (24%) were married (first marriage) and
23% were single (never married). Fewer respondents (6%) were widowed, divorced or remarried and the
remainder (9%) refused to state the HRP’s marital status (Table 7).
3.4
Household types
From information collected through the household grid, each household was classified into a specific
household type, based on the total number of household members in each dwelling and their age.
Definitions of each household type are in Table 8.
Lone parent was the predominant household type (33%), followed by lone adult (18%), large family (17%) and
small family (14%). Fewer households were two adults (6%), large adult (5%), lone older (2%) and two older
(2%). The remainder of respondents did not provide the information required to define household type (3%)
(Table 8; Figure 2).
13
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Figure 2: Household Type (%)
33 34
25
18
17
11
14
12
6
8
5
6
2
y
y
r
lt
t
nt
ts
mil
mil
a
lde
a
dul
are
dul
Adu
F
F
O
P
A
l
A
e
e
l
e
e
e
a
g
g
o
Sm
Lon
Lon
Lar
Tw
Lar
Lon
2008
o
Tw
3
er
Old
3
1
nse
po
Res
o
l
N
usa
Ref
/
2002
3.5
Family unit
A family unit cannot span more than two consecutive generations (e.g. a young mother with child [family unit
2], living with her parents [family unit 1]). A total of 449 households took part in the survey and findings show
that more than nine-tenths (94%) of households contained one family unit and 6% contained more than one
family unit (Table 9).
3.6
Number of people per household
One-quarter (25%) of households comprised five or more persons and one-fifth (20%) had one person. Equal
proportions (19%) of households had two persons and four persons and 16% of households comprised three
persons (Table 10).
3.7
Age of household members
All respondents were asked how many people lived in their household and the age of each member. In total,
information on age was provided for 1,486 household members. The younger age profile of the population
is indicated by the fact that more than one-quarter (28%) of household members were aged between six
and 15 and 21% were aged five or under. For the Northern Ireland population as a whole, 22% were aged
under 166. Almost one-fifth (19%) of household members were aged between 25 and 39 and 16% were aged
between 16 and 24. Fewer household members were aged between 40 and 59 (8%) and 60 or older (3%)
(Table 11; Figure 3).
6 14
2
1
NISRA 2006 based household projections (www.nisra.gov.uk).
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Figure 3: Age of Household Members (%)
31
28
21
21
18
19
19
16
9
8
7
3
nde
ru
rs o
5y
r
5
6-1
yrs
16-
2
rs
4y
3
25-
2008
3.8
rs
9y
40-
5
rs
9y
60
2
y
rs+
1
nse
po
Res
o
l
N
usa
Ref
/
2002
Ethnic origin of HRP
Almost all HRPs (98%) were Irish Travellers. A small proportion (1%) reported the HRP’s ethnic origin as ‘other’
and the remainder (1%) refused to state the ethnic origin of the HRP (Table 12).
3.9 Location of Traveller households
The largest proportion (22%) of respondents resided in the Belfast area, followed by 17% in Dungannon, 12%
in Craigavon and 11% in Derry/Londonderry. The locations of the Traveller households surveyed are detailed
in Figure 4 and in the appendix tables (Table 13). In 2002, the largest proportion of respondents resided in
Dungannon (17%), followed by 14% in Belfast, 13% in Derry/Londonderry, 12% in Newry & Mourne and 10%
in Armagh.
Hillhead, Toome.
15
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Figure 4: Location of Respondents by Accommodation Type
Ballinamullin Gable view.
16
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
4.0 TRAVELLING
The survey included questions on ‘travelling’, to measure the extent of nomadism within the Traveller community.
4.1
Propensity to travel
More than two-thirds (70%; 80% in 2002) of respondents said they do not travel. Of those who travel (29% of
all respondents), more than nine-tenths (94%) said they normally travel during the summer, 16% in the spring,
15% in the autumn and 9% in the winter months (Tables 14 and 15).
Findings show that the majority (89%) of respondents who travel (29% of all respondents) do so with family,
8% travel alone and 2% travel with a partner (Table 16).
The last time respondents had travelled
Almost two-thirds (62%) of all respondents had not travelled in the previous year and 12% had not done
so in more than six months, up to one year. Almost one-tenth (9%) of respondents had not travelled in the
previous six months and 5% had not travelled in the previous month (Table 17).
4.2
Propensity to travel by tenure
Analysis by tenure shows differing incidences of travelling within each tenure type. Almost three-quarters
(73%; 79% in 2002) of respondents living on an unauthorised site said they travel, compared with 21% in social
housing (11% in 2002). Forty per cent of respondents living in grouped accommodation (0% in 20027) said
they travel, as do 39% of those living on transit sites8 and 30% (21% in 2002) on co-operated sites. Almost
one-third (29%) of respondents living on serviced sites said they travel (14% in 2002), as do 26% of those in
privately rented accommodation (6% in 2002) and 25% in privately owned accommodation9 (Table 18; Figure
5).
Figure 5: Propensity to Travel by tenure (%)
73
40
39
30
Unauthorised Grouped
Transit
Site
Accommodation Site
4.3
29
Co-operated Serviced
Site
Site
26
Privately
Rented
25
Privately
Owned
21
Social
Housing
Propensity to travel by age of HRP
More than half (53%) of those respondents who said they travel were in the 25-39 age group. More than onequarter (27%) were in the 16-24 age group and 15% were in the 40-59 age group (Table 19; Figure 6).
In the 2002 survey 11 families lived in grouped accommodation, none of whom travelled.
There were no transit sites in 2002.
9
In the 2002 survey 12 families lived in privately owned accommodation, none of whom travelled.
7
8
17
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Figure 6: Propensity to Travel by Age of HRP (%)
53%
52%
27%
23%
21%
15%
2%
16-24
25-39
60+
40-59
2008
5%
2002
3%
0%
No Response/
Refusal
Briar View Houses
18
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
5.0 HEALTH AND DISABILITY
5.1
Health
One-tenth (10%) of household members had a mental health problem; 88% of these household members
were receiving treatment from their GP/consultant and 5% were receiving alternative/complementary
treatment. Sixty household members (4%) had arthritis, 49 (86%) of whom were receiving treatment from
their GP/consultant; 53 (4%) had high blood pressure, most of whom (42; 86%) were receiving treatment from
their GP/consultant. Fewer respondents reported heart disease (32; 2% of household members), diabetes
(15; 1% of household members), joint replacement (9; 1% of household members) and osteoporosis (8; 1% of
household members) (Table 20).
5.2
Disability in the household
More than one-quarter (26%) of respondents reported that they or a member of their household had a
disability which limits day-to-day activities. Of these, almost two-thirds (61%) said there was one disabled
household member. Almost one-quarter (23%) had two disabled household members and 4% had three
or more disabled household members. Forty-one per cent of households containing one or more disabled
members required specially adapted accommodation and of these, almost half (48%) said appropriate
adaptations had been carried out (Tables 21-24; Figure 7).
Figure 7: Do you or any members of your household have a disability? (%)
71%
55%
44%
26%
3%
Yes
No
2008
1%
No Response/Refusal
2002
19
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
6.0COMMUNITY SAFETY
6.1 The majority of respondents reported that they felt safe:
• at home during the day (94%);
• walking around the area during the day (94%);
• at home after dark (85%); and
• walking around the area after dark (76%) (Table 25).
6.2
Crime
More than half (55%) of all respondents said they, or other members of their household, had experienced
specific crimes during the previous 12 months. Some respondents had experienced discrimination (14%),
verbal threat (9%), vandalism to property (7%), racist attack (7%) and hate crime (5%). Smaller proportions of
respondents had experienced physical assault (4%), burglary (3%), vandalism of car or other motor vehicle
(2%), theft of car or other motor vehicle (2%) and theft from car (1%) (Tables 26 and 27).
6.3
Almost two-thirds (64%) of those respondents who stated that they, or a member of their household, had
been a victim of crime (55% of all respondents), felt the reason had been their ethnic origin; 10% gave other
reasons; 22% refused or omitted to state their reasons and 4% did not know (Table 28).
Ballyarnett
20
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
7.0ACCOMMODATION - HOUSING NEEDS
This section summarises the key findings from the core of this research project, providing the evidence
base for the Housing Executive, in partnership with the Traveller community, to develop schemes which will
address outstanding housing need in the Traveller community.
This section identifies the accommodation which Travellers currently live in, their satisfaction levels with their
current accommodation and their previous accommodation type, and provides an important element of the
housing needs assessment.
7.1
Current accommodation
More than two-fifths (42%) of respondents said they already lived in social housing (i.e. Housing Executive or
housing association) and 21% lived on serviced sites. Almost one-tenth (9%) of respondents reported that
they lived in privately rented accommodation, 7% lived on unauthorised sites and 6% lived in privately owned
accommodation. Equal proportions (5%) of respondents lived on transit sites, co-operated sites and grouped
accommodation. The remainder of respondents (1%) lived in other types of accommodation, details of which
are in the appendix tables (Tables 29 and 30; Figure 810).
Figure 8: Current Accommodation (%)
42%
42%
Social Housing
21%
21%
Serviced Site
9%
8%
Privately Rented
7%
Unauthorised
Site
11%
6%
Privately Owned
Transit Site
4%
5%
0%
5%
Co-operated Site
9%
Grouped
Accommodation
Other
5%
4%
1%
2%
No Response/ 1%
Refusal 0%
2008
2002
Most respondents had access to electricity (89%), toilet facilities (89%) and mains water (87%) in their
accommodation (Tables 31-34). One-fifth (20%) of households living on sites had a play area for children
(Table 35).
10
‘Unauthorised site’ was described in 2002 as ‘side of the road’.
21
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
7.2
Length of time at current accommodation
The survey shows that a high proportion of the Traveller community do not travel regularly, but of those who
travel (29% of all respondents), 31% had lived across the border in the previous year.
More than four-fifths (82%; 67% in 2002) of respondents reported that they had lived at their current
accommodation for more than one year and 7% had lived there for more than one month, up to six months.
Equal proportions (5%) had lived in their current accommodation for up to one month, and more than six
months, up to one year (Table 36).
Of those respondents who had lived at their current accommodation for less than one year (17% of all
respondents), almost one-third (24; 31%) had lived in the South [Republic of Ireland] before moving to
their current accommodation and one-fifth (15; 20%) had lived in Craigavon before moving to their current
accommodation (Table 37).
More than three-quarters (78%) of all respondents expected to remain in their current accommodation for
more than one year, 11% for up to six months and 4% for more than six months, up to one year (Table 38).
7.3
Overall satisfaction with current accommodation
More than half (53%) of respondents were very satisfied/satisfied with the standard of their current
accommodation, 37% were dissatisfied/very dissatisfied and one-tenth (10%) were neither satisfied nor
dissatisfied (Table 39). The main reasons for dissatisfaction were poor living conditions and overcrowding
(Table 40).
7.4 Previous accommodation
Almost one-third (31%) of respondents said their previous accommodation had been social housing; 19%
had been living on a serviced site and 12% on an unauthorised site; 11% had been living on a transit site
and 8% had been living in privately rented accommodation. A small proportion (7%) had no previous
accommodation. Fewer respondents said they had been living on a co-operated site (2%), privately owned
accommodation (2%) or grouped accommodation (1%), and 3% had lived in other types of accommodation,
details of which are in the appendix tables (Tables 41 and 42; Figure 9).
22
Of those respondents who had lived previously in other accommodation (93% of all respondents), 43%
(58% in 2002) said they thought their current accommodation was in better condition than their previous
accommodation. Almost one-third (30%; 26% in 2002) thought it was about the same and 18% (16% in 2002)
thought it was worse. Of the remainder, 5% of respondents did not know and 4% refused (Table 43).
The most common reason for moving given by respondents who had lived previously in other
accommodation was to be close to family (19%). Equal proportions (14%) cited better living conditions and
marriage as their reason for leaving and 8% had moved as they had nowhere else to go (Table 44).
7.5
Evidence of housing need
Preferred accommodation
All respondents, regardless of their housing requirements, were asked to state their preferred accommodation.
Almost one-third (133; 30%) said their preferred accommodation was social housing. Equal proportions (19%)
preferred grouped accommodation (86 respondents) and a serviced site (84 respondents). A very small
proportion (1%) (<5 respondents) said they would prefer a transit site. More than one-quarter (120; 27%) of
respondents said they did not need accommodation (Table 45).
In 2002, 42% of respondents said their preferred accommodation was social housing, 38% preferred grouped
accommodation and 14% preferred a serviced site. The remaining 6% preferred other accommodation types.
Preferred location
More than one-quarter (26%; 22% in 2002) of all respondents said they would prefer to live in the Belfast area,
16% (5% in 2002) in the Craigavon area and 12% (16% in 2002) in the Dungannon area. Equal proportions
(11%) of respondents gave the Newry & Mourne area (11% in 2002) and the Derry/Londonderry area (13% in
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Figure 9: Previous Accommodation (%)
31%
Social Housing
23%
19%
Serviced Site
34%
8%
Privately Rented
4%
12%
14%
Unauthorised
Site
7%
7%
No previous
Accommodation
2%
3%
Privately Owned
Transit Site
11%
0%
Co-operated Site
2%
3%
1%
Grouped
Accommodation 0%
Other
No Response/
Refusal 0%
3%
12%
3%
2008
2002
2002) as their preferred locations. The remainder of respondents preferred the Armagh (10%; 10% in 2002)
and Ballymena areas (4%; 5% in 2002) (Table 46).
Housing need: preferred and current accommodation
The core of the housing need analysis is given by comparing respondents’ preferred accommodation with
their current accommodation. Table 1c provides a breakdown of respondents’ preferred accommodation type
by their current accommodation. Those respondents who did not need accommodation have been excluded
from the analysis11.
11
i.e. those whose current accommodation was the same as their preferred accommodation.
23
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 1c
Preferred Accommodation
Grouped Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Frequency
38
6
5
7
6
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
21
83
11
17
23
2
4
57
2
1
3
18
4
7
24
4
57
2
2
202
Total
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Co-operated Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Rented
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Transit Site
Unauthorised Site
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Settled Accommodation
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Other
Total
Other
Serviced Site
Total
All households
Analysis of Table 1c shows there is a gross need for 83 units of grouped accommodation, 57 serviced site
pitches and 57 units of social housing. Of these households, 26 currently live in social housing. The knock-on
effects of developing, for example, a new grouped accommodation scheme may be the release of a number
of units on a serviced site, which may in turn release a number of units on a transit site, etc. The net housing
need is a much more complex calculation which is outside the scope of this research project and will be
undertaken by Strategic Partnerships in consultation with the Traveller community.
Table 1d provides a breakdown of respondents’ preferred accommodation type by preferred location,
where this is different from their current accommodation. Once again, respondents who did not need
accommodation have been excluded from the analysis. More than one-third (69 respondents) stated that they
would prefer to live in Belfast. Outside Belfast, the most popular locations were Craigavon (41 respondents)
and Dungannon (31 respondents).
24
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 1d
Preferred Location
Preferred Belfast Craigavon Dungannon
Derry/
Armagh Newry Other
accommodation
Londonderry
&
type
Mourne
No
Response
/Don’t
know
Total
Serviced Site
19
33
-
-
-
1
2
2
57
Transit Site
1
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
Grouped
Accommodation
45
5
18
3
1
3
7
1
83
Social
Housing
4
1
11
14
14
8
4
1
57
Other
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
2
Total
69
41
31
17
15
12
13
4
202
It should be noted, therefore, that in terms of assessing housing need this analysis excludes those whose
current accommodation type and preferred accommodation type are the same, but who would like to move
to another area, or would require larger accommodation.
Number of people accommodated with HRP
Further insight into housing need is gained from the following analysis. Almost half (47%) of respondents
said that three or more people were accommodated with the HRP, 19% were accommodated alone and
equal proportions (13%) were accommodated with one other person and with two other people. Very few
households reported that family members accommodated with them were living with other relatives or
carers (2%) or travelling (2%) (Tables 52 and 53).
One-fifth (20%) of respondents said they expected household members to seek their own accommodation
in the next three years12. Of these, two-thirds (66%) expected one household member to seek their own
accommodation, 24% expected two household members and 10% expected three or more household
members to seek their own accommodation in the next three years (Tables 54 and 55).
Developing Traveller Schemes
It is important to emphasise that, while this research project provides clear evidence of unmet housing need
among the Traveller community, developing details of any new schemes to be provided is not part of this
research project and will require further detailed analysis by the Housing Executive’s Strategic Partnerships
Team, in consultation with the Traveller community and its representative groups.
Gathering this additional information during the survey will help to facilitate decisions around the planning of future
accommodation schemes for the Travelling community over the next few years.
12
25
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
8.0 FURTHER COMMENTS
Respondents were asked what they felt were the most important issues facing the Traveller community today.
Almost all respondents (97%) made a total of 862 comments on a range of issues.
Almost half (48%) of respondents thought accommodation and 35% thought discrimination/racism were the
most important issues facing the Traveller community today. Other responses included employment/jobs
(29%), schools/education (6%) and poor health (14%) (Table 1e).
Table 1e
Accommodation issues
Discrimination/Racism
Employment/Jobs
School/Education
Poor health
Poor living conditions
Facilities related
Other comments
No response/Refusal
Number
Percentage
207
48
154
35
125
29
71
16
61
14
47
11
32
7
99
23
66
15
Base: 434 respondents who gave 862 comments
Most respondents (70%) made a total of 397 further comments on a range of issues. More than two-fifths (43%)
made comments related to accommodation and 19% noted that they had no accommodation needs; 8% stated a
preference for grouped accommodation and 6% commented on health/disability issues (Table 1f ).
Table 1f
Number
Percentage
Accommodation related comments e.g. ‘Need proper housing’
134
43
No accommodation needs
60
19
Would like Group Housing
26
8
Health/Disability related comments e.g. ‘Poor health’
20
6
Facilities related comments e.g. ‘Play area needed’
17
5
Better living conditions needed
9
3
Other comments
59
19
No response/Refusal
72
23
Base: 314 respondents who gave 397 further comments
26
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
9.0CONCLUSIONS
The survey attempted to reach all Traveller households in Northern Ireland, and while this was not achievable
the Traveller Support Groups have confirmed that a very high proportion were contacted.
On this basis the survey achieved a high response with 449 of the 531 Traveller households identified
completing questionnaires. These households were spread across Northern Ireland, with the greatest
concentrations in the Belfast area (22%), followed by Dungannon (17%), Craigavon (12%) and Derry/
Londonderry (11%).
The survey confirms the youthful profile of the Traveller community and the over-representation of lone
parent families.
For the survey to measure the extent of nomadism within the Traveller community, respondents were asked
questions on ‘travelling’. Seventy per cent of respondents said they no longer travel; of those who do, the
majority travel during the summer months.
Mental health problems were reported for one-tenth (10%) of household members and 26% of respondents
reported that they or a member of their household had a disability which limits day-to-day activities.
More than two-fifths (42%) of respondents were living in social housing at the time of the survey, the same
proportion as in the 2002 survey.
More than half of respondents (53%) were very satisfied/satisfied with the standard of their current
accommodation, but the survey also indicates a significant level of unmet housing need (particularly in
Belfast, Craigavon and Dungannon).
The following district council areas (listed alphabetically) have been identified as areas where the need is
greatest:
•
•
•
•
Belfast
Craigavon
Derry/Londonderry
Dungannon
More than two-fifths (41%) of those in housing need said they would prefer grouped accommodation and
equal proportions (28%) would prefer social housing and serviced sites. There is a gross need for 83 units of
grouped accommodation, 57 serviced site pitches and 57 units of social housing. The knock-on effects of
developing, for example, a new grouped accommodation scheme may be the release of a number of units
on a serviced site, which in turn may release a number of units on a transit site, etc. The net housing need is
a much more complex calculation, which is outside the scope of this research project and will be undertaken
by Strategic Partnerships in consultation with the Traveller community.
The Housing Executive, in giving consideration to the findings of the research, will draw up a programme of
Traveller-specific schemes to address the identified need over the next five years.
In drawing up a programme of schemes, the Housing Executive will give consideration to greatest need, land
availability, compatibility and consultation with individuals, families and the wider community.
27
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1: PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS
For data protection purposes it is the policy of the Research Unit that if fewer than five people respond in a particular
way to any given question, the exact number is not reported, as it may be possible to identify individuals. Therefore,
regardless of the size of the sample or sub-sample, if the number of responses is fewer than five, this is indicated
throughout the report, in both the textual and tabular analyses, by the sign ‘<5’.
Conditions regarding the inclusion of numbers and/or percentages in findings, depending on the size of the sample
or sub-sample, are set out below:
1) Where the sample, or sub-sample, is 100 or more, the textual analysis (i.e. the main body of the report)
includes percentages only. The tabular analysis (i.e. the appendix tables) includes both numbers and
percentages.
2) Where the sample, or sub-sample, is 50 or more but less than 100, both the textual and tabular analyses
include numbers and percentages.
3) Where the sample, or sub-sample, is less than 50, both the textual and tabular analyses include numbers,
but not percentage figures.
The total achieved response in this survey was 449. Furthermore, the analysis includes data relating to 1,486
household members. Questions were directed at sub-samples of less than 100 and also less than 50 respondents.
Therefore, all three conditions apply to sections of both the textual and tabular analyses.
The HRP is the household member who:
1. owns the dwelling/accommodation, or
2. is legally responsible for the rent of the dwelling/accommodation, or
3. is living in the dwelling/accommodation as an emolument or perquisite, or
4. is living in the dwelling/accommodation by virtue of some relationship to the owner or lessee, who is not a
member of the household.
In the case of a joint tenancy or joint ownership of a dwelling, the person with the higher annual income is the HRP.
If both people have the same income, the older of the two is the HRP.
28
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
APPENDIX 2: TABULAR REPORT
(Note: Due to rounding some tables may not add to 100%. Also, in some cases where the number of
responses has been less than five, the actual figures have been omitted and these are shown as <5)
Table 1: Response Rate
Number
449
69
13
531
Fully Completed Interviews
Non-Contact
Refusal
Total
Table 2:
Accommodation Type of all Traveller Households Identified
Living in settled accommodation
Living in a trailer
Living in a mobile caravan
Living in a chalet (park home)
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
314
118
47
23
<5
25
531
Table 3:
Percentage
59
22
9
4
1
5
100
Base: 531 sample
Population Count
Households Interviewed
Total Population
Table 4:
Percentage
85
13
2
100
Number
449
1,486
Gender (Household Reference Person)
Number
Male
169
Female
270
No response/Refusal
10
Total
449
Percentage
38
60
2
100
Base: 449 respondents
29
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 5:
Male
Age Groups Number
16-24
33
25-39
69
40-59
34
60-64
<5
65+
13
No Response/Refusal
16
Total
169
Table 6:
Age (Household Reference Person)
Female
%
20
41
20
2
8
10
100
Number
51
126
45
7
6
35
270
%
19
47
17
3
2
13
100
All
Number
%
86
19
201
45
81
18
11
2
19
4
51
11
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
Employment status (Household Reference Person)
Looking after home/family
Not working short-term (<1 year)
Permanently sick/disabled
Not working long-term (>1 year)
Self Employed
Retired
Working part-time
Working full-time
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 7:
Number
213
71
39
36
35
21
8
5
21
449
Percentage
47
16
9
8
8
5
2
1
5
100
Base: 449 respondents
Marital status (Household Reference Person)
Separated
Married (first marriage)
Single (never married)
Widowed
Divorced
Re-married
No response/Refusal
Total
30
No Response /
Refusal
Number
%
<5
20
6
60
<5
20
10
100
Number
177
107
103
16
5
<5
39
449
Percentage
39
24
23
4
1
<1
9
100
Base: 449 respondents
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 8: Household Types
Definition of Household Types:
Lone Parent
Sole adult living with dependent (children) under 16
years of age
Lone Adult
Lone person below pensionable age - 65 years for men,
60 years for women
Large Family
Any two adults, related or unrelated, living with 3 or
more dependent children under 16 years of age OR
three or more adults, related or unrelated, living with
two or more dependent children under 16 years of age
Small family
Any two adults, related or unrelated living with 1 or 2
dependent children under 16 years of age
Two Adults
Two people, related or unrelated, below pensionable
age
Large Adult
Three or more adults, related or unrelated, with or
without 1 dependent child under 16 years of age
Lone Older
One person of pensionable age, 65 years for men, 60
years for women
Two Older
Two people, related or unrelated, at least one of whom
is of pensionable age
No response / Refusal
Total
Table 9: %
33
81
18
75
17
63
14
26
6
22
5
11
2
9
2
12
3
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
Family Units13 per Household
One Family Unit
Concealed Family Unit
Refusal
Total
Table 10:
Number
150
One person
Two people
Three people
Four people
Five or more people
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
420
25
<5
449
Percentage
94
6
1
100
Base: 449 respondents
Number of people in each household
Number
92
84
72
84
113
<5
449
Percentage
20
19
16
19
25
1
100
Base: 449 respondents
A family unit cannot span more than two consecutive generations (e.g. mother with child [family unit 2] living with parent
[family unit 1]).
13
31
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 11:
Age of household members
Number
Percentage
5 and under
308
21
6 - 15
415
28
16 - 24
231
16
25 - 39
283
19
40 - 59
112
8
60 or older
42
3
No response/Refusal
95
7
Total
1,486
100
Base: 1,486 household members resident in 449 households
Table 12:
Ethnic Origin (Household Reference Person)
Irish Traveller
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 13:
Percentage
98
1
1
100
Base 449 respondents
Current Location by District Council
Belfast
Dungannon
Craigavon
Derry/Londonderry
Omagh
Armagh
Newry & Mourne
Ballymena
Cookstown
Strabane
Antrim
Other (Magherafelt/Fermanagh/
Lisburn/Ards/North Down)
Total
32
Number
440
5
<5
449
Number
99
76
53
49
44
43
38
16
10
7
6
8
449
Percentage
22
17
12
11
10
10
9
4
2
2
1
2
100
Base: 449 respondents
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 14:
Do you travel?
Number
130
316
<5
449
Yes
No
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 15:
What time of year do you normally travel?
Yes
Spring (20th March to 20th
June)
Summer (21st June to 22nd
September)
Autumn (23rd September to
21st December)
Winter (22nd December to
20th March)
Percentage
29
70
1
100
Base: 449 respondents
No
No
Response/Refusal
No.
%
52
40
No.
21
%
16
No.
57
%
44
122
94
<5
2
5
20
15
52
40
12
9
61
47
Total
No.
130
%
100
4
130
100
58
45
130
100
57
44
130
100
Base: 130 respondents
Table 16:
When you travel, do you generally...?
Travel with family
Travel alone
Travel with a partner
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 17:
Up to one month
More than one month,
up to six months
More than six months,
up to one year
More than one year
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
115
10
<5
<5
130
Percentage
89
8
2
2
100
Base: 130 respondents
When was the last time you travelled?
Number
21
42
Percentage
5
9
55
12
276
55
449
62
12
100
Base: 449 respondents
33
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 18:
Yes
Unauthorised Site
Grouped Accommodation
Transit Site
Co-operated Site
Serviced Site
Privately Rented
Privately Owned
Social Housing
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
No.
22
8
9
7
27
10
7
40
130
Current Tenure by Propensity to Travel
No
Response/Refusal
Total
No.
%
No.
%
30
100
20
100
23
100
23
100
<5
1
92
100
39
100
28
100
<5
1
187
100
<5
100
<5
100
<5
1
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
No
%
73
40
39
30
29
26
25
21
29
No.
8
12
14
16
64
29
21
146
<5
<5
316
%
27
60
61
70
70
74
75
78
100
100
70
Table 19:
Age of respondents who travel
16-24
25-39
40-59
60+
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 20:
Number
35
69
19
<5
<5
130
Percentage
27
53
15
2
3
100
Base: 130 respondents
Do you or any members of your household have any of the following impairments?
Total with
Impairment
Receiving
Alternative/
treatment from Complementary
GP/Consultant
treatment
No.
%
No.
%
108
88
6
5
49
86
-
Impairments
Mental health problems
Arthritis
No.
156
60
%
10
4
High blood pressure
53
4
42
86
-
-
Heart disease
32
2
24
80
-
-
Diabetes
15
1
14
93
<5
7
Joint replacement
9
1
5
71
-
-
Osteoporosis
8
1
6
75
-
-
Cancer
<5
<1
<5
100
-
-
Stroke
<5
<1
<5
67
-
-
Other
77
5
46
72
<5
3
Base: Varies according to response to this question
34
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 21:
Do any members of your household have a disability?
Yes
No
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 22:
Percentage
26
71
3
100
Base: 449 respondents
Number of Household Members with Disabilities
One
Two
Three or more
No Response/Refusal
Total
Table 23:
Number
117
318
14
449
Number
71
27
5
14
117
Percentage
61
23
4
12
100
Base: 117 respondents
Do any of your family members with a disability require specially adapted accommodation?
Yes
No
No Response/Refusal
Total
Table 24:
Number
48
52
17
117
Percentage
41
44
15
100
Base: 117 respondents
Has your accommodation been adapted appropriately?
Yes
No
No Response
Total
Number
23
23
<5
48
Percentage
48
48
4
100
Base: 48 respondents
Personal Safety
Table 25:
Do you feel safe…?
Walking around the area
during the day (6am to 9pm)
Walking around the area
at night (9pm to 6am)
In your home during the day
(6am to 9pm)
In your home at night (9pm to 6am)
Yes
No
No
Response/Refusal
No.
%
<5
1
Total
No.
%
449
100
No.
422
%
94
No.
23
%
5
342
76
100
22
7
2
449
100
423
94
21
5
5
1
449
100
380
85
64
14
5
1
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
35
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 26:
Have you or has any member of your household experienced any of the following?
Yes
Discrimination
Verbal threat
Vandalism of property
Racist attack
Hate crime
Physical Assault
Burglary
Vandalism of car or other motor
vehicle
Theft of car or other motor vehicle
Theft from car
Any other crime
Table 27:
No
No.
61
42
32
31
22
19
15
10
%
14
9
7
7
5
4
3
2
No.
379
396
409
410
417
420
426
428
%
84
88
91
91
93
94
95
95
9
5
<5
2
1
1
430
434
372
96
97
83
Discrimination
Verbal threat
No
Response/Refusal
No.
%
9
2
11
2
8
2
8
2
10
2
10
2
8
2
11
2
10
10
74
Total
No.
%
449
100
449
100
449
100
449
100
449
100
449
100
449
100
449
100
2
449
100
2
449
100
16
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
If yes, did you report it to any organisation?
Yes
No
No.
18
20
No.
39
17
No
Response/
Refusal
No.
<5
5
Total
No.
61
42
Vandalism of property
23
6
<5
32
Racist attack
20
7
<5
31
Hate crime
15
<5
<5
22
Physical Assault
12
<5
<5
19
Burglary
11
<5
<5
15
Vandalism of car or other motor
8
<5
10
vehicle
Theft of car or other motor vehicle
7
<5
9
Theft from car
<5
<5
<5
5
Any other crime
<5
<5
Base: Varies according to response to this question
Table 28:
Why do you think you (or anyone in your household) were a victim of crime?
Because I am a Traveller
Other
Don’t know/no reason
No response/Refusal
Total
36
Number
72
11
5
25
113
Percentage
64
10
4
22
100
Base: 113 respondents
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 29:
Current Accommodation/Site
Number
187
92
39
30
28
23
23
20
<5
<5
449
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Serviced Site (by NIHE)
Privately Rented
Unauthorised Site
Privately Owned
Transit Site (Basic Amenities)
Co-operated Site
Grouped Accommodation
Other (homeless/caravan on family property)
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 30:
Current accommodation type
Number
38
17
8
<5
5
71
Privately rented house
Privately owned land with a caravan
Privately owned house
Privately owned site with a caravan
Other (homeless/rent a room/rented demountable)
Total
Table 31:
Percentage
54
24
11
4
7
100
Base: 71 respondents
In your accommodation do you have access to...?
Yes
Mains water
Electricity
Toilet facilities
Table 32:
Percentage
42
21
9
7
6
5
5
5
1
1
100
Base: 449 respondents
No.
392
398
400
No
%
87
89
89
No.
53
47
44
Use outside taps
Buy bottled water
Use tap belonging to other families
Other
Don’t know
No response/Refusal
Total
%
12
11
10
No
Response/Refusal
Total
No.
%
No.
%
<5
1
449
100
<5
1
449
100
5
1
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
If no, please indicate how you access water
Number
21
12
6
<5
<5
9
53
Percentage
40
23
11
8
2
17
100
Base: 53 respondents
37
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 33:
If no, please indicate how you access electricity
Generator
Use other family member’s supply
Don’t know
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 34:
If no, please indicate how you access toilet facilities
Outdoor toilet
Share with other families
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 35:
Up to one month
More than one month, up to six months
More than six months, up to one year
More than one year
No response/Refusal
Total
38
Number
21
20
<5
<5
44
Base: 44 respondents
Is there a play area for children on your site?
Yes
No
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 36:
Number
39
<5
<5
6
47
Base: 47 respondents
Number
23
90
<5
115
Percentage
20
78
2
100
Base: 115 respondents
Length of Time at Current Accommodation
Number
21
32
24
367
5
449
Percentage
5
7
5
82
1
100
Base: 449 respondents
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 37:
If one year or less, where did you live before?
South of Ireland
Craigavon
Belfast
Derry/Londonderry
England
Armagh
Newry & Mourne
Other
No Response/Refusal
Total
Table 38:
Percentage
31
20
5
5
5
5
5
12
10
100
Base: 77 respondents
How long do you expect to remain in your current accommodation?
Up to one month
More than one month, up to six months
More than six months, up to one year
More than one year
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 39:
Number
24
15
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
11
8
77
Number
11
37
16
352
33
449
Percentage
3
8
4
78
7
100
Base: 449 respondents
Satisfaction with Current Accommodation/Site
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
110
125
45
72
94
<5
449
Table 40:
Percentage
25
28
10
16
21
1
100
Base: 449 respondents
Reasons for Dissatisfaction
Poor living conditions
Overcrowding
Not safe for children
Wants security of tenure
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
91
26
13
9
23
<5
166
Percentage
55
16
8
5
14
2
100
Base: 166 respondents
39
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 41:
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Serviced Site (by NIHE)
Unauthorised Site
Transit Site (Basic Amenities)
Privately Rented
No previous accommodation
Co-operated Site
Privately Owned
Grouped Accommodation (Permanent Dwellings for families)
Other (homeless/temporary accommodation)
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 42:
Privately rented house
Privately owned house
Privately owned land with a caravan
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Previous Accommodation/Site
Number
139
87
56
51
37
31
11
8
<5
12
14
449
Percentage
31
19
12
11
8
7
2
2
1
3
3
100
Base: 449 respondents
Was your previous accommodation/site....?
Number
36
6
<5
9
<5
57
Percentage
63
11
4
16
7
100
Base: 57 respondents
Table 43: How does the condition of your current accommodation/site compare with the condition of your
previous accommodation/site?
Better
About the same
Worse
Don’t know
No response/Refusal
Total
40
Number
179
126
76
21
16
418
Percentage
43
30
18
5
4
100
Base: 418 respondents
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 44:
Why did you move to your current accommodation/site?
To be close to family
Better living conditions
Got married
Nowhere else to go
Allocated social housing
Was suitable place to live
Marital breakdown
Needed bigger house
New house
For work
Family problems
To have own accommodation
Discrimination
We are travelling
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Table 45:
Number
80
59
57
35
25
22
17
11
11
10
9
7
5
5
25
40
418
Percentage
19
14
14
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
6
10
100
Base: 418 respondents
Type of Accommodation Needed
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Do not need accommodation
Grouped accommodation
Serviced site
Transit site
Other
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
133
120
86
84
<5
<5
21
449
Percentage
30
27
19
19
1
<1
5
100
Base: 449 respondents
41
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 46:
Where do you need accommodation?
Belfast
Craigavon
Dungannon
Newry & Mourne
Derry/Londonderry
Armagh
Ballymena
Magherafelt
Cookstown
Other
Don’t know
No response/Refusal
Total
Number
80
49
38
34
34
32
11
6
5
6
<5
12
308
Percentage
26
16
12
11
11
10
4
2
2
2
<1
4
100
Base: 308 respondents
Table 47: Accommodation preferences crosstabulated by current accommodation (Traveller households in
need of accommodation throughout Northern Ireland)
Preferred Accommodation
Grouped Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Frequency
38
6
5
7
6
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
21
83
11
17
23
2
4
57
2
1
3
18
4
7
24
4
57
2
2
202
Total
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Co-operated Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Rented
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Transit Site
Unauthorised Site
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Settled Accommodation
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Other
Total
Other
Serviced Site
Total
All households
42
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 48: Accommodation preferences crosstabulated by current accommodation (Traveller households in
need of accommodation - Belfast area)
Preferred Accommodation
Grouped Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Owned
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Co-operated Site
Unauthorised Site
Total
Transit Site
Settled Accommodation
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Serviced Site
Privately Owned
Total
All households
Frequency
25
5
1
5
9
45
6
12
1
19
1
3
1
4
69
Table 49: Accommodation preferences crosstabulated by current accommodation (Traveller households in
need of accommodation - Craigavon area)
Preferred Accommodation
Grouped Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Unauthorised Site
Privately Rented
Social Housing
Total
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Co-operated Site
Unauthorised Site
Privately Rented
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Total
Transit Site
Settled Accommodation
Unauthorised Site
Privately Rented
All households
Frequency
1
2
2
5
5
3
22
1
2
33
2
1
41
43
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 50: Accommodation preferences crosstabulated by current accommodation (Traveller households in
need of accommodation - Dungannon area)
Preferred Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Serviced Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Social Housing (NIHE/HA)
Grouped Accommodation
Frequency
13
2
1
2
18
5
2
2
2
11
2
31
Total
Serviced Site
Privately Owned
Privately Rented
Other
Settled Accommodation
Total
Other
Serviced Site
All households
Table 51: Accommodation preferences crosstabulated by current accommodation (Traveller households in
need of accommodation - Derry/Londonderry area)
Preferred Accommodation
Current Accommodation
Transit Site
Privately Rented
Grouped Accommodation
Frequency
1
2
3
10
4
14
17
Total
Serviced Site
Transit Site
Settled Accommodation
Total
All households
Table 52:
Are any family members to be accommodated with you currently…
Yes
living with other relatives or carers?
travelling?
in other accommodation
(including hospital, penal institution,
long-term care)?
No
No.
10
9
%
2
2
No.
409
409
%
91
91
7
2
434
96
No
Response/Refusal
No.
%
30
7
31
7
8
2
Total
No.
%
449
100
449
100
449
100
Base: 449 respondents
44
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 53:
Number of People Accommodated with HRP
None
One
Two
Three or more
No response /Refusal
Total
Number
86
59
60
212
32
449
Percentage
19
13
13
47
7
100
Base: 449 Respondents
Table 54: Do you expect any members of your household to seek their own accommodation in the next
three years?
Yes
No
No response /Refusal
Total
Table 55:
Number
90
336
23
449
Percentage
20
75
5
100
Base: 449 respondents
Number of family members expected to seek their own accommodation in next three years
One
Two
Three or more
Total
Number
59
22
9
90
Percentage
66
24
10
100
Base: 90 respondents
45
Travellers’ Accommodation Needs Assessment in Northern Ireland 2008
Table 56:
Important Issues facing the Travelling community
Number
Percentage
Accommodation issues
207
48
Discrimination/Racism
154
35
Employment/Jobs
125
29
School/Education
71
16
Poor health
61
14
Poor living conditions
47
11
Facilities related
32
7
Other comments
99
23
No response/Refusal
66
15
Base: 434 respondents who gave 862 comments
Table 57: Further Comments
Number
Percentage
Accommodation related comments e.g. ‘Need proper housing’
134
43
No accommodation needs
60
19
Would like Group Housing
26
8
Health/Disability related comments e.g. ‘Poor health’
20
6
Facilities related comments e.g. ‘Play area needed’
17
5
Better living conditions needed
9
3
Other comments
59
19
No response/Refusal
72
23
Base: 314 respondents who gave 397 further comments
46
www.nihe.gov.uk
November 2008
CS/354/11/08
Photograph: Mural designed by Travellers’ Support Group Project.