AQW 24638/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/10/2021
Answered On Date: 10/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the steps she is taking in the short-term, prior to the Strategic Housing Market Analyses being completed in mid-2022, to increase the amount of social and private housing.

Answer:

I am fully committed to increasing new social housing provision across all areas in housing need.

A budget of £162 million for 2021/22, an increase of some £26 million on last year, will ensure that a minimum of 1,900 social homes are started and 1,400 social homes are completed in this financial year. In addition, given the current volatility in construction costs, I have committed to increasing that budget to ensure delivery of the Social Housing Development Programme.

My Department is also currently considering a business case to allow the Housing Executive to acquire properties in areas of high housing need where there is no land available for development.

Officials within my Department are also exploring the development of new intermediate housing types (in addition to existing shared ownership provision), including a new supply of Intermediate Rent homes.