AN advice worker has called for a review of how social homes are passed down to family members.
Agnes Fraser, from Tar Isteach in north Belfast, said she was concerned that some vulnerable tenants had been asked to leave their homes after the death of relatives who held the tenancies.
Under tenancy rules, Housing Executive and housing association homes can only be passed down to another family member once.
However, in exceptional circumstances some tenants who fall outside the rules, including those who have been living in a home which has been specially adapted for them, are allowed to stay.
Ms Fraser said she had dealt with a 74-year-old woman from north Belfast and two brothers in their fifties from west Belfast who had recently been asked to vacate their homes.
"A lot of people we deal with are adults living in the family home who have never married," she said.
"That 74-year-old woman had been looking after a sister with senile dementia on her own, at no cost to the health service."
Ms Fraser said she recognised there is high demand for social housing.
"It's not only their house, it's their home," she said.
"Your home isn't just about the bricks and mortar. It's about the support you have around you.
"I recognise there is huge demand for houses. But this woman needs someone to look after her and needs her two-bedroom home."
It is understood the woman and two brothers have since been allowed to stay in their homes. However, Ms Fraser said she and others have had to lobby the Housing Executive on their behalf.
"It's not about cherry-picking cases," Ms Fraser said. "It's about challenging this out-dated, draconian policy."
Ms Fraser held a protest outside the offices of the Housing Executive yesterday.
"The staff at the Housing Executive are very good but I always get the same response - it's policy," she said.
"What I would say is that policy is flawed and needs to be reviewed."
A spokesman for the Housing Executive said rules governing tenancies have been enshrined in law.
"Any changes to the rules on tenancy succession would require legislative change or the approval of the Department for Communities, for policy successions via the Housing Selection Scheme," he said.
"The current rules stipulate only one succession is allowed per household and these rules apply to both the Housing Executive and local housing associations.
"Where there are exceptional circumstances, we may consider a further succession. However, we will always balance the request for those wishing to succeed in a tenancy with the needs of applicants on the waiting list. This allows social landlords to make the most fair and best possible use of limited social housing stock."
