AQW 47513/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 01/06/2026
Answered On Date: 16/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any additional actions his Department plans to take in response to the social housing waiting list exceeding 50,000 households.

Answer:

I have been consistently clear that increased supply of homes of all tenures is the key to addressing our housing needs and reducing pressure on the waiting list. That is why this Executive committed to a long-term Housing Supply Strategy and agreed a PfG priority, to develop the actions needed to increase supply.

While developing the first cross-Executive Supply Strategy Action Plan, I have continued work to deliver more social and affordable supply.

In the last financial year, I delivered the largest investment ever in the Social Housing Development Programme, and achieved 1,765 new social home starts, representing a 17% increase in delivery year-on-year. There are now over 6,000 new social homes under construction across Northern Ireland.

However, delivery of new social homes in 26/27 to meet the target set in the Executive’s Programme for Government will be extremely challenging and highly dependent on sufficient budget being provided to my Department early in this financial year.

In terms of affordable housing, my Department has developed a new affordable (intermediate) rent product, which will initially deliver 300 such homes, as part of increasing the range of housing options available to people. I expect to award Financial Transaction Capital (FTC) loan funding to Maple & May shortly and will make an announcement soon with details on the funding package and the first delivery locations.

I have also committed to £153 million of FTC funding to be provided to Co-Ownership helping 4,000 households buy their own home over the next four years, including 1,200 new build homes.

I am fully focussed on the Supply Strategy’s ambition and remain committed to prioritising housing delivery and finding new solutions with the resources available to me. This Executive must also collectively demonstrate that it is serious about prioritising housing in its decision making and funding allocations.