Chief Executive statement re: Programme for Government announcement
Housing Executive Chief Executive, Grainia Long, said; “We welcome the release of the new Programme for Government today and are pleased that housing has been made a key priority throughout the document.
“The commitment in the Programme for Government, in tandem with the housing supply strategy, will enable us to develop more homes of the highest standard across Northern Ireland.
“This will provide much needed homes for those in housing need but also ensure stability for the construction sector for years to come.
“We will begin the work now alongside housing associations and the Department for Communities to deliver the target of 5,850 social homes to be started by 2027.
“We are also pleased that homelessness is a real strategic priority within the Programme for Government. We are especially keen to see focus on prevention measures and cross-departmental working in order to tackle homelessness.
“We are also pleased to see that there is support for the programme to meet the housing needs of young people leaving the care system, to ensure the risk of homelessness is eliminated.
“We believe that prevention, twinned with an acerated new build programme will see us make into real inroads in ending homelessness in Northern Ireland.”
Revitalisation
“We will continue to advocate for Treasury agreement to allow us to access private finance to fund a widespread new build programme to bring the housing supply strategy to fruition.
The Housing Executive welcomes the Programme for Government’s commitment to the revitalisation of the Housing Executive so that we can borrow against our rental income to increase investment in our existing homes, improve energy efficiency, and contribute to new supply.
“We are at a critical juncture in this process and we wish for a speedy resolution, in order to ramp up housing supply and boost our local economy by providing excellent jobs in much sought after trades.
Ending violence against women
“Recently, the Minister for Communities stated publicly that the issue of domestic violence and bringing an end to violence against women was a priority and, in recent years, we have witnessed a steady increase in women seeking housing support citing this issue as a reason for homelessness.
“We welcome the Minister’s commitments and we pledge to continue to provide support – both inside and outside the home –and via the partner organisations - for those women and girls experiencing by domestic violence or physical abuse.”