CIH calls for NI public land release

A document produced by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland today ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections next month called for the building of 11,000 homes, up from the 5,500 a year currently built.

The Agenda for Change document said the government should introduce targets for housebuilding and the release of public land in order to increase housebuilding.

The body also reiterated its call for an independent social housing regulator with responsibility for rent-setting.

According to a recent report by Savills, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) needs £6.7bn over the next 30 years to tackle homes in disrepair.

However, the Department for Social Development (DSD) has frozen rents at the NIHE by one year, which will limit the amount of income that can be raised for repairs.

The CIH also urged Northern Ireland to introduce a new duty on councils to prevent people becoming homeless.

The policy, which has already been introduced in Wales, is currently being considered by the government in England.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in its manifesto has pledged to transfer stock away from Northern Ireland’s largest social landlord if it is successful in May’s elections.

However, Sinn Féin, which is expected to remain the second-largest party after the DUP following the election, has said it will oppose any attempt to break up the NIHE and sell the stock to housing associations.