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The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) welcomed the statement by the Minister for Finance and Personnel, Peter Robinson, setting out his intention to introduce a 100% rate on empty homes from April 2009. NIFHA strongly supports the call of the Chartered Institute of Housing that the money raised, estimated to be £20m, be channelled directly to social housing development.
The Review of Affordable Housing for Northern Ireland highlighted the need to reduce the number of empty properties. Sir John Semple’s report further recommended that the rating system be used to encourage bringing properties back into use.
NIFHA’s Chief Executive, Chris Williamson, commented:
"Northern Ireland has a disproportionately high level of empty homes and NIFHA has repeatedly called for this measure to be taken. Its implementation will put something back into the fast-depleting coffers of social housing."
However, he went on to warn:
"Unfortunately, this measure will not relieve the more immediate crisis facing the Social Housing Development Programme because it will not generate funds until 2009/10. To avoid the Programme grinding to a halt, we need much more cash in the budget for 2008/09.
"Quite simply, there is not enough capital allocation in the draft budget to turn Sir John Semple’s recommendation of building at least 10,000 new homes over the next five years into reality."
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