AQW 40437/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 12/02/2026
Answered On Date: 24/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any interim policy measures in place within his Department to reduce prolonged stays in unsuitable temporary accommodation, while longer-term housing supply initiatives are delivered.

Answer:

I am looking at innovative ways to increase housing supply across all tenures. Following the additional funding I secured in December Monitoring, the Social Housing Development Programme is expected to start 1,750 and complete 1,500 new social homes this year.

I also introduced the Loan to Acquire Move-on Accommodation (LAMA) scheme in December 2024 to enable charities to purchase properties and provide secure, affordable tenancies for those with low support needs. This scheme allows those who are tenancy ready, but who can not access social housing, or the private rented sector, to move out of temporary accommodation.

Already, £4m of the £10m of financial transaction capital available has been allocated and officials continue to engage with sectoral partners to progress further business cases.