AQW 50425/11-16

Mr Oliver McMullan
Sinn Féin
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 05/11/2015
Answered On Date: 16/11/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development for his assessment of the supply of social housing in rural areas.

Answer:

I am committed to increasing the number of social homes throughout Northern Ireland whether it is in an urban or rural area. Housing activity in rural areas, which is classed as a settlement with a population of up to 5,000 is identified by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive through their Rural Action Plan, and then delivered through the Social Housing Development Programme.

During the last financial year 2,013 new social homes were started in Northern Ireland of which 119 were in rural areas, which is an increase of 12% in rural new starts from the previous year. In monetary terms, this equates to some £6.5 million of Housing Association Grant invested in new social housing schemes in the rural parts of Northern Ireland to help address need and sustain local communities.

I continue to support the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s commitment to deliver social housing in rural communities.