AQW 5785/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/02/2024
Answered On Date: 03/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities how many (i) actionable voids; and (ii) non-actionable voids did the (a) Housing Executive; and (b) housing associations, hold on 1 February in each of the last ten years.

Revised Answer:

This issue is an operational matter for the Housing Executive and the relevant Housing Associations. The Department does not hold this information for Housing Associations.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“Please see the table below which outlines voids held by the Housing Executive on 1st February, in each of the last ten years:

Year	Actionable Voids	Non-Actionable Voids	Totals
1st February 2024	381	1,222	1,603
1st February 2023	734	958	1,692
1st February 2022	653	780	1,433
1st February 2021	688	673	1,361
1st February 2020	249	595	844
1st February 2019	315	489	804
1st February 2018	385	487	872
1st February 2017	392	486	878
1st February 2016	485	539	1,024
1st February 2015	583	538	1,121

Notes:

Actionable voids are properties which are vacant while in the process of being allocated/awaiting change of tenancy repairs. These may also include properties deemed to be difficult to let.

Non-Actionable voids are properties that are not immediately available for allocation and are held vacant for operational reasons i.e. decanting purposes (where they are being used to house a tenant on a temporary basis pending works to their home), planned maintenance schemes, and properties which have been identified for sale/transfer or have approval for demolition.”

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact the Housing Executive directly. Making direct contact with them will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.