Social housing
In this section
- Annual research programme
- Attitudes to landlord services
- Cavity Wall Insulation Research Project
- House prices and affordability
- NIHCS statistics quality information
- House Condition Survey Steering Group
- House Condition Survey user engagement
- Energy efficiency and sustainability
- Health and housing
- Home improvement
- Homelessness
- House Condition Survey
- Housing market analysis
- Housing Market Intelligence Exchange
- National Statistics protocols and compliance
- Housing Market Review
- Housing need research
- Private rented sector and rents
- Regeneration and neighbourhood renewal
- Shared communities
- Social housing
- Supporting People
- Welfare reform
Standards and Costs of Developing Social Housing in Northern Ireland’
On behalf of the Department for Communities, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive commissioned Three Dragons with Ulster University to identify efficiencies in social rented housing delivery that will allow costs to be reduced while maintaining quality. The research objectives were to:
Review standards of new build general needs social housing in Northern Ireland in comparison with new private housing in Northern Ireland and new social rented housing in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland;
Estimate the additional cost resulting from key differences in design, specification and standards;
Consider whether the higher design standards provide value for money and recommend potential areas for improved value for money;
Provide comment and analysis of other development issues which may also affect the cost of developing new social housing in Northern Ireland; and
Explore, where research is available, wider economic benefits (i.e. savings to public purse) and non-monetary benefits.
The study reviewed the Development Guide standards; analysed social housing build cost data; reviewed equivalent standards in operation elsewhere in Great Britain and in the Republic of Ireland; undertook interviews with housing associations and cost consultants active in Northern Ireland; consulted contractors/developers that develop both market and social rented housing and interviewed a sample of cost consultants with experience of social rented and speculative residential developments. The research focussed on the prescribed specifications, dwelling sizes, Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design and energy efficiency.
In reviewing the costs of meeting the Development Guide standards for social rented housing it is important to note that the focus of this study is on the initial capital costs rather than the lifecycle of the buildings or the wider impact on the internal and external environment and its role in place-shaping. However, where the research identified points about these issues, mention is made of them.
New Build Social Housing Satisfaction Survey
The Housing Executive commissioned research of social housing tenants allocated new build accommodation completed during 2017/18.
This research assessed tenant satisfaction with aspects of their new build accommodation; provided a profile of tenants and their housing needs; and assessed whether the new build accommodation meets tenants needs; The impact of Covid-19 on social housing design was also considered.