The Housing Council was established by the Housing (NI) Order 1981 following the establishment of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 1971 to allow Councils to have a forum for the consideration of Housing matters.  The Housing Council consists of eleven members, of which one is elected to be the Chair.  Its purpose, as a consultative and advisory body, is to consider any matters affecting housing which are either referred to it by the Department for Communities or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and any other matter affecting housing which appears to the Housing Council to be a matter to which consideration ought to be given.  It may make recommendations to the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive.  A key requirement of the Housing Council is to nominate four members to sit on the Board of the Housing Executive. Those appointed to the Housing Executive Board will fulfil the duties of Board members and bring to the attention of the Board the views and opinions of the Housing Council for consideration.