Community Cohesion

What is Community Cohesion?

Community Cohesion focuses on building positive relationships among people from diverse backgrounds. 

It aims to strengthen social bonds, reduce inequalities, and foster a climate of acceptance and understanding. 

Cohesion has 5 key themes:

• Residential Segregation/Integration
• Race Relations
• Communities in Transition
• Interface areas
• Flags, Emblems and Symbols

Thirteen Good Relation Officers work to meet the need and demand for good relations and cohesion-based support for local communities.

We have been working with communities through the Housing Community Network, in different formats, for more than 40 years.

We build strong relationships with our tenants, residents, and leaseholders, giving them a central role in governance and the decisions that affect their lives. 

The ways to get involved are wide and varied. Our approach is co-production based, whereby the design and delivery of services is in partnership with, rather than onto our customers. 

Our current Community Involvement Strategy provides a framework through the Housing Community Network for us and our communities to work together towards mutually agreed outcomes. 

It sets out how residents, along with their local community associations, can get involved in developing their local services to improve their quality of life.

In 2024 we launched our new Community Involvement and Cohesion Strategy 2024-2029.

Flags, emblems and 'sectional symbols'

We will continue to support and assist local communities regarding the removal of sectional symbols in their areas and we endeavour to take a  community led approach, where there is a willingness and a readiness to embark on the   journey to remove the outward symbols of sectarianism through the medium of art.

We will continue to support areas through the re-imaging process and establish links with key organisations to assist in developing estate based re-imaging projects.

Flags

An initial evaluation suggested a significant shift away from paramilitary displays. We will continue to roll-out the flag protocol with local councils and seek to create designated flag areas within social housing areas.

We have prepared a downloadable leaflet, A Good Practice Guide to Flags, Emblems and Sectional Symbols which can be downloaded below:

Bonfire management

The Improved Bonfire Management Scheme funded projects in Antrim, Newtownabbey and Ballycastle. Belfast City Council evaluated the Bonfire Management pilot scheme.

A regional bonfire policy is being developed to encourage communities to improve bonfire management. The issue of ‘designating’ bonfire sites is currently being discussed at the Good Relations Steering Panel.

Segregation and integration

We support the wishes of people who choose to live in single identity or mixed neighbourhoods. We do this by analysing and assisting the sustainability of mixed estates.

We also facilitate and encourage mixed housing schemes in the social and affordable sector as far as this is practicable, desirable and safe.

We are currently working with the Department for Social Development, housing associations and others to bring proposals forward for two pilot projects of mixed housing schemes in the medium term.

Race relations

We hope to demonstrate a clear and positive commitment to tackling race issues through our Race Relations Policy. We contribute towards race relations on a strategic and operational level through effective partnership working.

Interface areas

We work to develop opportunities to bring communities together. We have an ongoing programme of capacity building in areas of weak social infrastructure.

We continue to invest in improvement through environmental initiatives and regeneration programmes.

Communities in transition

We identify communities at risk and create the environment to allow timely and appropriate interventions.

We also engage with adjacent communities to foster an atmosphere of mutual tolerance and understanding, conduct regular audits and prepare local plans.

Community Cohesion Strategy - consultation responses

A summary of the consultation responses to the draft Community Cohesion Strategy document are now available:

You can download our: