South Belfast 'Local Homes for Local People' Posters Condemned, Police Seek Removal

Posters with the slogan 'local homes for local people' have appeared across the Belvoir, Milltown, and Besthill areas of south Belfast, targeting housing associations, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and private landlords. These posters, which appeared on bus stops, litter bins, and other street furniture, express concerns about local residents struggling to find housing near their families and call to 'keep Belvoir, Milltown, and Besthill safe,' which has been widely condemned as a veiled anti-immigration and racist message. Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey and Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan have strongly criticized the posters, describing them as vile, hateful, and a threat to international members of the community, urging their immediate removal. The PSNI, represented by District Commander Supt Finola Dornan, acknowledged community concerns, noting the damaging impact such incidents have on local safety and wellbeing, and confirmed they are working with partners and the community to remove the posters. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive reaffirmed its commitment to fair and impartial housing allocation and encouraged the community to work together to address housing challenges without fostering division. This incident echoes previous occurrences of similar anti-immigrant posters and tensions in the Belvoir area, highlighting ongoing issues around housing and community relations in south Belfast.