Housing in Northern Ireland: meeting market demand and reforming the social housing sector

Guest of Honour: Jim Wilkinson, Director of Housing, Department for Social Development

This seminar will consider the key challenges facing both the public and private housing sectors in Northern Ireland following the forthcoming Assembly election.

Delegates will discuss the priorities outlined in the Social Housing Reform Programme including the forthcoming Tenant Participation Strategy for Northern Ireland 2015-2020, as well as how to tackle waiting lists and proposals for a new regulatory framework for social housing providers.

They will also assess progress in the Facing the Future: Housing Strategy for Northern Ireland 2012-2017, following the release of the Department for Social Development's action plan update on the strategy last September.

Bringing together key policymakers, developers, law firms, house builders, housing associations and consumer groups, sessions will also consider how to further increase housing supply following the recent publication of the final report of the Housing Supply Forum, the next steps for the private rental sector and the likely impact of the recently passed Welfare Reform Bill on both housing associations and tenants.

We are delighted that Jim Wilkinson, Director of Housing, Department for Social Development has agreed to deliver a keynote address.

At this early stage Professor Paddy Gray, Professor of Housing, Ulster University; Janet Hunter, Director, Housing Rights Service; Clare McCarty, Chief Executive, Clanmil Housing Association; Colm McDaid, Chief Officer, Supporting Communities Northern Ireland; Richard Ramsey, Northern Ireland Economist, Ulster Bank and Ricky Rowledge, Director, Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland have also agreed to speak.

Further senior participants are being approached.