Housing Association help ease housing crisis

Despite the myriad of constraints housing associations experience in developing housing, for example: government grant rates which struggle to keep up with fast rising land prices, increasing land prices and grave delays in obtaining planning permission, they were able to start 1,032 new homes within the same period.

The Federation’s Chief Executive, Chris Williamson, commented: “The essential contribution housing associations are making to social housing continues. The Federation is delighted with the clear commitment its members show each year in bolstering the social housing programme in Northern Ireland. Associations are working under enormous pressures but still manage to contribute much to the lives of many people year on year in Northern Ireland.”

NIFHA’s Chief Executive went on to call on the new Social Development Minister to make housing a priority and closely examined the constraints being experienced by housing associations in delivering more affordable homes in Northern Ireland.

NIFHA is the umbrella organisation representing, supporting and promoting the activities of the 38 registered and 6 of the unregistered Housing Associations in Northern Ireland.
Housing Associations provide over 30,000 units of accommodation - a quarter all social rented housing in NI

Since 1998 Housing Associations have provided virtually of all new social housing in NI
The private finance Housing Associations attracted between 1996 and 2006 resulted in an additional 4,500 homes for social accommodation