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NIFHA encourages NI associations to build mixed-tenure homes
Housing associations in Northern Ireland have been encouraged to explore mixed-tenure development by the sector’s trade body and the Department for Communities (DfC).
A draft report released today at the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) Development and Asset Management Conference examines ways associations in the region can build new types of homes.
It claims that schemes with a mixture of affordable rent, shared ownership and private market units could help boost the sector’s output and reduce Catholic-Protestant segregation.
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Ben Collins, chief executive of the NIFHA, said: “The focus of mixed-tenure development is fostering greater social, economic and community mix to support thriving and sustainable communities.
“What this report shows is that mixed-tenure development has the potential to deliver wider social benefits, including tackling disadvantage and segregation.
“While it is not a panacea for all social problems and cannot deliver positive outcomes without other complementary policy initiatives, it nevertheless provides a strong foundation for these to succeed.”
He said the report is intended “to stimulate discussion and inform debate” about how mixed tenure could work in Northern Ireland.
Housing association development in the region is still largely focused on social rent.
In February, 11,000-home landlord Choice Housing launched the sector’s first private rented sector company.
