AQW 3022/16-21

Ms Nichola Mallon
Social Democratic and Labour Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 14/09/2016
Answered On Date: 26/09/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities , in light of the acute housing shortage, to (i) outline the rationale for the closure of the NIHE Empty Homes Unit; (ii) provide an update on the review of the Empty Homes Strategy; and (iii) outline the actions being taken to address the problem of empty properties while the review takes place.

Answer:

The NIHE Board, at its January 2016 meeting, considered its interim review of empty homes work, particularly in the context of budgetary constraints and the need to ensure priority of their statutory functions. In light of the Board’s decision, the Empty Homes Unit was scaled back but continues to operate the Empty Homes website through which empty homes can be reported and manage a matching service which allows prospective buyers to view potential properties with a view to purchasing.

The review of the empty homes strategy is ongoing. The review is examining best practice from other jurisdictions and will consider options for a more targeted partnership approach to bringing empty homes back into use. The review will be completed by the end of the financial year.

In the meantime, the Department has provided loan funding to Clanmil and Apex Housing Associations with a target of bringing over 300 empty homes back into use. In addition, the Housing Executive has vesting powers to address blight that risks wider housing areas and recently used these powers to vest and demolish a block of flats in the Rathcoole area which will be replaced with 12 social homes.