Once more she made it clear that housing is her number one priority.
The minister assured the forum that she was addressing the problems associated with affordability and provided an update in relation to some of the key components of the New Housing Agenda, including the recent introduction of her new Procurement Strategy.
She said: “Social housing will be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly as a result of my procurement strategy which will create efficiency savings of up to 10% and encourage improved quality in design and greater use of non traditional methods of construction.”
The Minister said her priority is to increase the supply of housing and in her first year as Housing Minister she was able to do just that. However, she made it clear that there was still much work to do that we must look to build on, year-on-year: “Whilst the targets set to deliver 5,250 new homes in the next three years are challenging, these are non-negotiable and will be met.”
Notes to Editors:
- The Housing Forum was set up in 1996 following the Housing Policy Review. The aim of the forum is to build a greater understanding of the housing market, to maximise the opportunities for investment and to enhance the development of partnerships between the public and private sectors in addressing housing needs. The forum provides an arena for the sharing of knowledge and developing the trust and confidence which is essential if partnerships are to succeed and increased private investment is to be attracted.
- The forum is hosted by the Housing Executive and is chaired by its chairman and meets twice a year. The membership is made up of representatives from various organisations with an interest in housing and includes the statutory and voluntary sectors, professional bodies representing the building industry, banks, building societies and universities etc.
- 80 delegates attended this meeting including Housing Executive Board Members and senior officers, representatives from the N I Housing Council, District Councils, Government Departments e.g. DSD, DOEPlanning Service, DFP, Housing Associations, community representatives, Building Societies, Banks, and the Universities (QUB and University of Ulster).
- Further news media information call the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9000 and Out of office hours contact EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699715440.
