Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie chaired the meeting: “Today’s first meeting of this expert panel is another important step towards addressing the issues that could improve the supply of social and affordable housing. This is a massive challenge and making progress will be helped by the expert input of these professionals who are involved with the many aspects of housing on a daily basis.
“I have made securing investment for housing one of my top priorities because I believe that everyone has a right to a decent and affordable home. We will address the very pertinent proposals made in Sir John Semple’s report into affordable housing and the Advisory Panel will play a significant role in helping me and the Inter-departmental Group do this, thus making a real difference for the people of Northern Ireland.
“I have asked Professor Alastair Adair to chair future meetings of the Panel and I am grateful that he has accepted this role”.
Professor Alastair Adair is the Head of School of the Built Environment, University of Ulster and is involved in the Quarterly House Price Index reports. Other members include academics, representatives from the financial and voluntary housing sectors, statutory bodies and the construction industry.
The Minister added: “We will be working hard over the next few months to do all that we can to identify how we can secure the additional investment needed to resolve this problem. As work progresses, there will be opportunities to engage with the public and their representatives through a range of consultative processes. I believe that the priority given to this matter by the Executive and by the Assembly is a real and positive demonstration of the value of our devolved government”.
Notes to Editors:
1. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
2. As part of the Minister’s commitment to tackle the problems associated with housing affordability, establishment of the Interdepartmental Affordability Review Implementation Group was announced in May 2007. Ministerial Colleagues in the Northern Ireland Assembly Executive Committee have agreed to the Minister setting up the Inter-departmental Group, and establishing an expert panel to advise and support the Group.
The Interdepartmental Affordability Review Implementation Group had its first meeting on 5 July and is due to meet again on 12 September.
3. A list of membership of the Advisory Panel follows:
| Academics | |
|---|---|
| Professor Alasdair Adair | Head of School of the Built Environment, University of Ulster |
| Professor Kenneth Gibb | Head of Department of Urban Studies, Glasgow University |
| Professor Paddy Gray |
Subject Director Teaching and Learning School of the Built Environment, University of Ulster |
| Finance | |
| Mr Derek Wilson | Head of Mortgages, Ulster Bank and member of the Council of Mortgage Lenders |
| Mr Alan Bridle | Economist and Head of Research at Bank of Ireland, and University of Ulster. |
| Mr Uel Adair | President of the Irish League of Credit Unions |
| Mr John Thompson | Director of Ulster Property Services |
| Voluntary Housing Sector | |
| Ms Clare McCarty | Clanmil Housing Association |
| Mr Dan Corr | Chairman of Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association |
| Ms Caroline Breakey | Chairperson of Rural Development Council |
| Statutory bodies | |
| Mr John O’Connor | Chief Executive of Affordable Homes Partnership, Republic of Ireland |
| Mr Joe Frey | Head of Research, Northern Ireland Housing Executive |
| Construction industry | |
| Mr John Armstrong |
Managing Director Construction employer’s Federation |
| Mr Christopher Carville | Carvill Group Limited |
| Mr David Little | Director of the National House Building Confederation |
