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17/12/2002
Browne reaffirms commitment to NI housing
Responding to criticism that the government is failing to address problems in housing, NIO Minister Des Browne confirmed that his department is to take "immediate action".
At the weekend, Mark Durkan, the leader of the SDLP criticised the Department of Social Development for failing to meet their target towards building 3,000 new homes.
“Homelessness in Northern Ireland is currently running at a rate 50% higher than in England. It is all the more shocking therefore when we see figures that show DSD’s public sector housing starts falling lamentably short of target," he said.
"It is already clear that DSD’s modest target of 3,000 new starts will not be met and that the DSD newbuild programme is doing nothing to reduce the NIHE waiting-list never mind make inroads on the problem of homelessness itself.”
However, according to Mr Browne, Housing Associations are now expected to start work on 1,200 new homes for rent in the current financial year against a target of 1,400.
“I share the concerns expressed about delays in the new house building programme and I have asked for my officials to take immediate steps to address these," he said.
“While there may be a slight fall off in the number of new homes being started there is no question of the housing budget not being spent in full.”
He explained that problems had been caused by the increasing difficulty of acquiring sites, particularly in and around Belfast. In addition problems in obtaining approvals in respect of planning, roads and water applications also delayed work.
“Housing is an important part of our programme to tackle social need and promote social inclusion.
"Last week, I announced an allocation of £283.8 million for housing in 2003/04. When this is combined with the Housing Executive’s income this will provide a budget of £643 million for housing in Northern Ireland.”
Last week, it was also revealed in Housing Executive report that 31,600 homes in Northern Ireland were found to be unfit for habitation. This number represents around 4.9% of homes across the province, with more expected to fall into disrepair every year.
The Housing Executive said the percentage is a vast improvement on figures from 1996, when the level of unfit housing reached a massive 7.3%.
(AMcE)
At the weekend, Mark Durkan, the leader of the SDLP criticised the Department of Social Development for failing to meet their target towards building 3,000 new homes.
“Homelessness in Northern Ireland is currently running at a rate 50% higher than in England. It is all the more shocking therefore when we see figures that show DSD’s public sector housing starts falling lamentably short of target," he said.
"It is already clear that DSD’s modest target of 3,000 new starts will not be met and that the DSD newbuild programme is doing nothing to reduce the NIHE waiting-list never mind make inroads on the problem of homelessness itself.”
However, according to Mr Browne, Housing Associations are now expected to start work on 1,200 new homes for rent in the current financial year against a target of 1,400.
“I share the concerns expressed about delays in the new house building programme and I have asked for my officials to take immediate steps to address these," he said.
“While there may be a slight fall off in the number of new homes being started there is no question of the housing budget not being spent in full.”
He explained that problems had been caused by the increasing difficulty of acquiring sites, particularly in and around Belfast. In addition problems in obtaining approvals in respect of planning, roads and water applications also delayed work.
“Housing is an important part of our programme to tackle social need and promote social inclusion.
"Last week, I announced an allocation of £283.8 million for housing in 2003/04. When this is combined with the Housing Executive’s income this will provide a budget of £643 million for housing in Northern Ireland.”
Last week, it was also revealed in Housing Executive report that 31,600 homes in Northern Ireland were found to be unfit for habitation. This number represents around 4.9% of homes across the province, with more expected to fall into disrepair every year.
The Housing Executive said the percentage is a vast improvement on figures from 1996, when the level of unfit housing reached a massive 7.3%.
(AMcE)
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