Minister promises action to solve housing challenges

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA, has initiated action to find solutions to the growing housing affordability challenge.

Replying to a motion in the Assembly, the Minister said that she was taking proposals to the Executive on Thursday to establish an inter-departmental group to consider the recommendations in the recent review into affordable housing by Sir John Semple.

“I envisage that the group will consider the recommendations in greater detail and focus efforts on progressing those recommendations which are acceptable. It would also seek to develop programmes that have linkages with organisations outside central government and strengthen the partnership approach to tackling affordability.”

Referring to the need for specialist advice in this area, Ms Ritchie said she also intended to establish an expert panel comprising academics and relevant experts from across the housing arena to provide specialist advice to the interdepartmental group.

Confirming that delivering affordable housing was top of her priorities, the Minister said that to succeed would require concerted action by Executive colleagues and the Assembly and would also require new money. “Housing is a complex issue and there are no easy answers but I want to get things moving quickly. As a first step, I have asked my officials to begin an audit of the lands held by my Department and how they could be used to relieve the housing crisis. I believe that land held by other Departments should also be audited.”

Turning to the need to develop housing in the context of wider regeneration plans, the Minister said: “I will shortly bring forward proposals for the regeneration of the North West Quarter of Belfast City Centre which includes Brown’s Square and Carrick Hill. The scheme for the North East Quarter will include provision for affordable housing units within the heart of Belfast, funded by the developer.

“In North Belfast, the advisory panel for Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Barracks, are working on a master plan for the redevelopment of the two sites. Without prejudicing the outcome of the Panel’s deliberations, it is likely that there will be significant opportunities for social and affordable housing on these sites.

“In Derry, plans for the regeneration of the former Ministry of Defence lands at Clooney offer the possibility of providing affordable housing, alongside other facilities. In other mixed-use development schemes which my department is engaged in, we will consider carefully the place which affordable and social housing can play.”

Responding to a second Assembly motion on vacant properties, Ms Ritchie said there was a need for a more proactive approach to manage empty homes in both the social and private sectors. “One of the recommendations made in the Semple Report, is that measures should be introduced which would encourage the return of empty dwellings in the private sector for housing use.

“With this in mind, I have today written to the Housing Executive to ask it to produce an Empty Homes Strategy along the lines recommended in the Semple Report.

“I intend that the strategy will address a number of issues and subject to its findings, I will consider introducing legislation to extend powers for intervention. I have asked the Housing Executive to provide me with a progress report by the summer.

“The Housing Executive will also look at developing a scheme to provide for the release of social sector empty properties for purchasing by low income first time buyers.

“Dealing with empty homes will encourage vibrant communities, regeneration, sustainable communities and help us to achieve a shared future. Many of our empty houses are a legacy of our recent past, but with a return to devolution, now is the time to deal with the problem of segregated communities and the housing problems this creates.

“A roof over one’s head is a basic human need. Helping to deliver housing affordability is a massive challenge but with firm action – and proper funding – there is a lot we can do. Working together we can make a difference.”

Media enquiries to: Jim Hamilton DSD Information Office 07887 682272.