Social housing target on track says Ritchie

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, today welcomed news that plans are on track to deliver this year’s social housing target.

To date, 508 new homes have been started and a further 522 have been completed.

Margaret Ritchie said: “My first and foremost priority is to increase the supply of social housing.

“This year I have set aside £155million to provide 1,750 new homes and we are well on target to deliver. We now move into the second part of the year, when the majority of houses will have cleared planning permission and can be delivered on the ground.

“This is a landmark year for social housing with plans to deliver 1,750 houses for the first time in over a decade. This level of provision will not only help those in urgent housing need, but also provide a major boost to the construction sector and the wider economy in general.

“I want to take this opportunity to praise the work of the Housing Executive and Housing Associations, working in partnership to make this happen.”

Minister Ritchie continued: “Having a roof over one’s head is a fundamental right and a key building block of our entire social development. That is why I will continue to do all I can to ensure that those on the waiting list have a home in the shortest possible time.”

Notes to editors:

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