AQW 5465/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 05/02/2024
Answered On Date: 13/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail his plans to increase the provision of social housing and facilitate the building of new, affordable private developments.

Answer:

The ability to increase the supply of social housing is constrained by budget. My Department continues to work with the NIHE to bring forward measures to maximise the Social Housing Development Programme. Officials are also working with the NIHE and a range of public bodies to look at ways in which we can make delivery timelier; bring more stability to the programme; and explore how issues and pressures associated with existing delivery might be addressed.

In relation to new affordable homes, my Department continues to work with the sector to look at how we can increase the range of affordable options and products. This includes how we can support the delivery of more affordable homes through the local development plan process.

Intermediate Rent is one such new affordable housing product. The Intermediate Rent Policy was published in March 2023 and a supply of homes will come forward under a future funding package which is in development.

My Department also funds Co-Ownership, which provides an alternative route into home ownership for people on low incomes. Importantly, around 20% of Co-Ownership homes are new build; offering an alternative affordable tenure in new housing developments.