Rural housing needs test launched in Mid Ulster

“Quite often, especially when we have very few social homes in an area, people don’t see the value of coming forward to put their name on the waiting list. 

“But we use the local waiting list to determine housing need and to support housing associations in developing new homes, so it’s vitally important that people tell us there is a demand.

“If we find there is demand for new homes, then we can engage with a housing association to examine the potential for a new-build scheme in the district.”

Sharon Crooks, local area manager at the Housing Executive, also urged local people to express interest if they want to live in a social home.

Ms Crooks said: “This exercise will help us to determine the need for new housing in this area and I’d encourage interested local residents to get in touch.

“While the Rural and Regeneration Unit examines the potential for new housing, you will still be considered for any housing that might become available if you are already registered with us or a housing association.”

This latest news from Northern Ireland comes after a developer submitted plans at the end of last month to build 91 social homes on the site of a former school in in Coleraine, which closed in 2019.

Also in July, Inside Housing revealed that Northern Irish housing associations are planning to start 8,000 new social homes over the next three years, with new data showing which landlords have the biggest pipelines and where the homes will be built.