Menu
18/05/2004
Housing association tenants get to buy their own homes
Social Development Minister John Spellar today launched a consultation document which should allow many more housing association tenants to buy their own homes.
The Minister was outlining his proposals to amend the current statutory house sales scheme for social housing tenants and to extend its provisions to housing associations’ tenants.
The Minister said: “The house sales scheme has been very successful in giving many people, who would not otherwise have been able to, the opportunity to buy their own homes.
“However, the statutory scheme only applies to Housing Executive tenants and while some housing associations, encouraged by my Department, have been operating a voluntary sales scheme, a number have opted out. I want to address this inconsistency and extend the opportunity to buy their homes to housing association tenants.”
Indicating that he was also proposing to fine-tune the existing Housing Executive scheme, the Minister added: “The main reason for these changes is to ensure that the policy of selling social houses does not impact adversely on the supply of affordable housing, both for those in urgent need of social housing and for potential first time buyers.
"In this regard I am particularly concerned that speculative landlords are now emerging as purchasers of many former social houses when these are put on the market thus reducing the potential for such properties to offer an affordable housing option for first time buyers.”
The Minister added that the new arrangements will apply, subject to any amendments which might be made following the outcome of the consultation, to all applications to purchase NIHE or housing association properties received after May 18.
(MB)
The Minister was outlining his proposals to amend the current statutory house sales scheme for social housing tenants and to extend its provisions to housing associations’ tenants.
The Minister said: “The house sales scheme has been very successful in giving many people, who would not otherwise have been able to, the opportunity to buy their own homes.
“However, the statutory scheme only applies to Housing Executive tenants and while some housing associations, encouraged by my Department, have been operating a voluntary sales scheme, a number have opted out. I want to address this inconsistency and extend the opportunity to buy their homes to housing association tenants.”
Indicating that he was also proposing to fine-tune the existing Housing Executive scheme, the Minister added: “The main reason for these changes is to ensure that the policy of selling social houses does not impact adversely on the supply of affordable housing, both for those in urgent need of social housing and for potential first time buyers.
"In this regard I am particularly concerned that speculative landlords are now emerging as purchasers of many former social houses when these are put on the market thus reducing the potential for such properties to offer an affordable housing option for first time buyers.”
The Minister added that the new arrangements will apply, subject to any amendments which might be made following the outcome of the consultation, to all applications to purchase NIHE or housing association properties received after May 18.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 August 2015
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
11 February 2022
Major New Housing Development Scheme In Strabane
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that her department has awarded an £11.7 million Housing Association Grant towards a new £22 million social housing scheme in Strabane. The development will provide 150 social homes as well as retail opportunities within the site and a children's playpark.
Major New Housing Development Scheme In Strabane
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that her department has awarded an £11.7 million Housing Association Grant towards a new £22 million social housing scheme in Strabane. The development will provide 150 social homes as well as retail opportunities within the site and a children's playpark.
06 July 2015
Social Development Minister Opens New Social Housing Scheme
Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey has opened a new social housing scheme in Co Antrim. The Bayview Park scheme in Derrymore was given £300,000 from the Department of Social Development. Clanmil Housing Association (HA) developed the project, providing an additional £300,000 in funding.
Social Development Minister Opens New Social Housing Scheme
Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey has opened a new social housing scheme in Co Antrim. The Bayview Park scheme in Derrymore was given £300,000 from the Department of Social Development. Clanmil Housing Association (HA) developed the project, providing an additional £300,000 in funding.
05 June 2014
£1.7m Social Housing Scheme Underway In L'Derry
A new £1.7million social housing scheme is being built in the Waterside area of L'Derry. The new homes at Nelson Drive are being constructed by Trinity Housing and will provide four apartments for active older people and 13 family homes all for applicants on the social housing waiting list.
£1.7m Social Housing Scheme Underway In L'Derry
A new £1.7million social housing scheme is being built in the Waterside area of L'Derry. The new homes at Nelson Drive are being constructed by Trinity Housing and will provide four apartments for active older people and 13 family homes all for applicants on the social housing waiting list.
04 November 2021
More Social Homes Central To Housing Reform - Hargey
Delivering more social housing to areas most in need is central to a programme of housing reform, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
More Social Homes Central To Housing Reform - Hargey
Delivering more social housing to areas most in need is central to a programme of housing reform, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
