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NI landlords 'must scale up building'
Housing associations in Northern Ireland must significantly scale-up development to meet housing demand in the province, according to the leader of the sector’s umbrella organisation.
Speaking yesterday at the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations’ (NIFHA) annual conference in Ballyconnell, chief executive Cameron Watt was due to say there was “great potential” for expansion, but larger sites were needed.
“I don’t believe Northern Ireland’s housing needs can be met without our movement taking on a bigger role across the market,” he said.
“With tender costs rising inexorably, we have to consider new delivery options.”
Mr Watt suggested associations could take some development capacity in-house or commercial subsidiaries could take over existing contractors.
He added that up to three associations could enter into joint ventures to establish new construction firms.
Mr Watt also voiced concerns over the £70 million Supporting People (SP) programme, which funds housing services for vulnerable people and is administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
He said the programme was in a “black hole” as an eight-year funding freeze meant services could not be maintained.
Mr Watt said health trusts were acting as both commissioners and providers of (SP) services, with recent evidence suggesting they were receiving “significantly” higher rates than equivalent services provided in the independent sector.
