Communities Minister has launched an ambitious
cross-departmental plan to tackle housing issues.
Minister Lyons set out the first whole system Housing Supply
Strategy at the Assembly. He said: “The housing issues we
face are significant, and the current situation is not
sustainable. For too long, there has been no joined-up,
cross-departmental approach to housing supply. That ends
now.
“I am pleased to have the support of Executive colleagues
to work together in new and innovative ways to deliver the supply
of good quality, affordable and sustainable homes that we need in
Northern Ireland.
“My ambition is to create a housing system that can
deliver at least 100,000 homes - and more if needed. One third of
these will be social homes, alongside an increased supply of
intermediate homes delivered throughout the strategy
lifetime.
“A safe, warm and affordable home is the
foundation of so many things in life, and is linked to a broad
range of positive health, education and economic outcomes. In
addressing this we are seeking to change people's lives for the
better.”
The strategy contains a number of ambitions, including increasing
housing supply across all tenures, reducing homelessness and
improving housing quality.
The Minister added: “This strategy goes beyond bricks and
mortar, and looks at wider areas such as energy efficiency –
making sure energy costs remain affordable and manageable for
everyone. I will also launch a consultation on the Fuel Poverty
Strategy shortly to address an issue which affects too many
households across our community.”
The Housing Supply Strategy has been endorsed by organisations
across the sector, including:
- Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland;
- Homeless Connect;
- Construction Employers Federation;
- The Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and
- Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Association.
The Minister added: “I am pleased there is a recognition
of the collective effort required to address these issues, across
the Executive but also from a range of
organisations throughout the sector. All involved
appreciate the enormity of the task in front of us, and the need
for both investment and transformative action. Yet in harnessing
the collective will, and setting out the next steps, we are
moving in the right direction.
“We are looking to work collaboratively, think different
and promote change. This means being novel and innovative in our
approach. It also means being ambitious in what we want to
achieve.
“But most importantly, the whole system approach must put
people, places and communities at its heart.”
Notes to Editors:
- Photo captions - Minister marked the
announcement of the Housing Supply Strategy at Stormont
with co-signatories Seamus Leheny (Northern Ireland
Federation of Housing Association), Nicola McCrudden (Homeless
Connect), Justin Cartwright (Chartered Institute of
Housing Northern Ireland), Grainia Long (The Northern
Ireland Housing Executive), and Mark Spence (Construction
Employers Federation).
- The Housing Supply Strategy can be viewed at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/publications/housing-supply-strategy-2024-2039
- The Oral Statement can be viewed at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/announcement-publication-housing-supply-strategy
