AQW 15784/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/09/2024
Answered On Date: 15/10/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for his assessment of Housing Executive decisions to refuse new housing development in areas when the waiting list for social homes is projected to hit 50,000 households in the coming months.

Answer:

It is my assessment that this issue is an operational matter for the Housing Executive.

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

“There are a number of factors to consider when supporting / committing expenditure to new social housing developments. The location and pattern of housing need varies in different locations across Northern Ireland. To that end, the Housing Executive complete housing assessments annually which consider the location and type of housing needs by housing need area / settlement level. The Commissioning Prospectus is then published (annually) which communicates this information to the sector and is an important document to direct housing associations in their site search to identify development opportunities in locations where there is a projected social housing need and a shortage of new build proposals.

The Housing Executive engages with housing associations at an early stage in the site identification process and assess every new build proposal against the 5-year projected need for the area and on the suitability of the location and the type and mix of housing proposed. Those schemes which have been supported are then assessed for inclusion on the 3-year Social Housing Development Programme to ensure they are capable of meeting identified housing need and to ensure they meet Housing Association Guide Standards. All schemes are programmed in line with strategic guidelines and availability of grant funding.”

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.