Write a commentPlans by Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín to address the challenges facing our housing system have been welcomed by local political representatives.
Over the last 18 years successive Executives have invested £2.3bn to build 30,000 new social houses. But, at the same time, the number of our households in housing stress has increased by 17,000. The Minister said it was time we faced up to the fact that change is needed if we are to ensure that every household has access to a good quality, affordable and sustainable home that is appropriate to its needs.
Minister Ní Chuilín said “My ambition is to ensure that every household has access to a good quality, affordable and sustainable home that is appropriate to their needs. I have outlined my plans to address some of the most significant challenges. These are challenges that I will not shy away from. Everything I do will be focused on ensuring equality, focused on addressing the highest need and focused on fundamental transformation.”
The minister outlined her intention to:
- Change the status of the landlord part of the Housing Executive so that it may borrow, invest in its homes and ultimately build again;
- Consult on the Housing Executive’s House Sales Scheme to protect the current supply of social housing;
- Reintroduce ring-fencing of the new build Social Housing Development Programme (SHDP) to prioritise certain areas of highest housing need;
- Introduce reform of the social housing allocations system; and
- Ensure the Housing Executive prioritise adaptations.
Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the news.
Biggest Shake Up for 50 Years
Ms Kimmins said "I welcome the plan brought forward by Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín which amounts to the biggest shake up of public housing for 50 years.
Liz continue “As part of a comprehensive review of the rental system, tenants will continue to have the lowest rents on these islands and it will also call time on bad landlords.
"This will result in houses being built where they are needed most and an effective and fair allocation policy to ensure those who need houses get them. This shake up will also enable anyone in public housing to buy an affordable home if they wish to."
Need for Social Housing in Newry
"Newry City Councillor Valerie Harte said that the building of more social housing was essential.
"Valerie made her comments after revealing that Housing Executive figures state that Newry City alone has 860 on the ‘Housing Waiting List’ whilst 715 are in what the Housing Executive describe as ‘Housing Stress’
“These figures underline the importance of the huge need to get social housing schemes in this City. Behind every statistic is a human and family story,
The Newry City Councillor continued “Sinn Féin is committed to building more social housing to ensure those in need have access to a good quality, affordable and secure home. Housing is a fundamental human right”.
3309 on Waiting List in District
Her colleague Slieve Gullion area Councillor Declan Murphy said that Minister Ní Chuilín had brought forward ambitious and transformative plans.
He said “Against the backdrop of a growing housing crisis across the whole of Newry, Mourne & Down, I warmly welcome the announcement made by Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, that she has plans to fundamentally address the significant challenges facing our housing system.
"There are currently 3309 on the ‘Housing Waiting List’ with 2641 in ‘Housing Stress’.
"The Minister bringing forward her ambitious and transformative plans has stated that ‘Change is needed if we are to ensure that every household has access to a good quality, affordable and sustainable home that is appropriate to its needs’.
"As a Slieve Gullion councillor I am inundated with housing issues on a daily basis. It is the most recurring issue that I have to deal with and finding solutions are difficult as the Housing Executive has not built any significant number of social houses for decades”.
The South Armagh Councillor continued “Freeing the Housing Executive up to enable it to borrow will put it on a better footing to both build new homes and maintain its existing stock to a standard tenants deserve.
"We need to sort out the long-term future of the Housing Executive. We have to make sure it can repair its homes, regenerate its estates and start building again.
"The population of older people is growing as is the demand for single occupancy units. The existing stock of houses is grossly inadequate, while the waiting list for those in need is spiralling out of control”.
Declan said it was essential that stakeholders worked together to deliver “Our council also must step up to the mark to ensure our Local Development Plan is fit for purpose and that our planners are also focused on delivery.
If the Department, the Council and all stakeholders work together we will help deliver a quality and functional housing system for the people of Newry and south Armagh”
