Local homes poster on estate condemned as vile

A poster on a glass wall of a bus stop. It is brown and white in colour and has text on it which says, for the attention of N.I.H.E, private landlords and all housing associations - Belvoir. Milltown & Besthill - from now on local homes for local people.

BBC News NI identified around a dozen posters

Claire Graham
BBC News NI

Posters with "local homes for local people" written on them have been put up around a housing estate in south Belfast.

They are addressed to all housing associations, the Northern Ireland housing executive and private landlords.

They have appeared on bus stops, litter bins and utility street cabinets in the Belvoir area.

The PSNI say they are working with the local community to "secure removal" of the posters.

District Commander for South Belfast, Supt Finola Dornan said: "We are aware of community concern surrounding this issue.

"We know that incidents like this have a really damaging impact on everyone living in the local area and their sense of safety," she added.

'Hateful'

Sinn Féin assembly member Deirdre Hargey described the posters as vile.

"It is sickening these posters have been erected in this part of south Belfast - a clear and deliberate threat to international members of our community," she said.

"I am urging political and community representatives to show leadership and demand the immediate removal of this vile material.

"There can be no place for the hateful attitudes that fuel these actions in any part of our society."

BBC News NI saw about a dozen posters on Belvoir Drive down to Old Milltown Road on Tuesday night.

A woman is standing outside. her brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail. She wears red glasses and has a pink top on.

Local councillor Sarah Bunting doesn't believe the posters are racist

A DUP councillor for the area said she does not believe the posters are racist.

Sarah Bunting said: "I've certainly heard from people within the community and they don't believe it is racist. This community is very multicultural. It always has been.

"It's always been very welcoming to people from other backgrounds, but I think it is purely that frustration of housing issues.

"I mean I live here myself and I currently have seven children living at home with me in a three bedroom home, because they are not eligible for social housing and they are widely priced out from private landlords, so I think that is really the frustration this community is feeling."

A poster on a black bin. It is brown and white in colour and has text on it which says, for the attention of N.I.H.E, private landlords and all housing associations - Belvoir. Milltown & Besthill - from now on local homes for local people. A street the bottom of a lamppost and some hedges can be seen in the background.

BBC News NI saw about a dozen posters on Belvoir Drive down to Old Milltown Road on Tuesday night

The Housing Executive said it was aware of posters and leaflets being circulated in some of its neighbourhoods in Belfast.

"We understand that challenges with housing supply across Northern Ireland is frustrating for those waiting for a social home," they said.

"However, the ethos of the Housing Executive is, and always has been, the fair and impartial allocation of homes to all of those who need them, in line with the housing selection scheme.

"We work proactively to promote inclusivity in our estates and build supportive and cohesive communities.

"We would encourage any tenant or community with concerns to contact us so we can work together to dispel misinformation and find solutions together."

'No place for that'

Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said the housing crisis in Northern Ireland is because of politicians and not migrants.

"I utterly condemn any attempt to stir up tensions and misdirect anger towards people who are not the reason why we have a lack of housing," she added.

"It's unhelpful at its best, and encouraging racism at its worst."

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