May 2021
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This conference focused on priorities and next steps for housing policy in Northern Ireland.
Areas for discussion included:
- the outlook for the NI housing market in the wake of the pandemic
- options for reform of the NI Housing Executive - including the best model which allows its landlord section to borrow and invest in its properties
- increasing housing supply - and addressing barriers
- first time buyers - improving the options available to them
- tackling homelessness and addressing rough sleeping
The agenda
- The outlook for the NI housing market in the wake of COVID-19, the impact of stamp duty holidays, and the way forward for meeting current demand and consumer needs
- Reforming the Northern Ireland Housing Executive - options for reform, implications for the wider sector, ensuring a smooth transition, and priorities for increasing the supply of social housing
- Key priorities for the Housing Executive in the wake of reform
- Overcoming barriers to increasing housing supply, improving options for first time buyers, and tackling homelessness and rough sleeping
- Housing in Northern Ireland - next steps for policy
A scan of relevant developments:
- Reforms to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive - from the Department for Communities, with a Ministerial statement last year which outlined:
- changes to the Housing Executive Landlord so that it can borrow, invest in its properties and build again
- considerations for reclassifying its landlord section as a mutual, but with the Communities Minister having indicated that the preferred option is a model where the Housing Executive is allowed to borrow and invest
- a future consultation on the Housing Executive’s House Sales Scheme, and forthcoming reform of the social housing allocations system
- anticipated legislation intended to improve the safety, security and quality of the private rented sector:
- proposed reform is expected to include extending the notice to quit period, ensuring rent is fair, and increasing the role for councils in registration and enforcement
- the expected development of a Housing Supply Strategy for Northern Ireland
- the announcement of £1.75bn in capital funding in the draft NI budget for social housebuilding
- the recently announced budget from the Department of Finance - which includes £9m towards tackling homelessness and £162.5m for new social housing in Northern Ireland
Key areas for discussion:
Reforming the NI Housing Executive:
- policy proposals - the impact and implementation of allowing the organisation to invest and build homes again, and giving its landlord arm borrowing powers to improve existing homes
- improving the NIHE existing housing stock - with discussion on:
- borrowing powers - is this approach sufficient to allow the Executive both to sufficiently improve its existing homes over the short and medium term, and ensure current rents remain low
- repair or replace - discussion on whether some homes should be replaced if they are deemed beyond economic repair and do not meet modern standards
- governance structure - discussing the future framework for the Housing Executive as it is reformed:
- what can be learnt from examples of large landlords transferring their housing stock to a mutual organisation in Great Britain
- whether reclassification as a mutual should be considered as originally indicated by the Communities Minister last December
- how to ensure a smooth transition from the current model
- the implications for the wider housing sector in Northern Ireland, as well as other landlords
- tenants - priorities for their protection and for giving them a greater say:
- how funds for repairs and development can be raised whilst ensuring that existing tenants do not receive future rent increases
- how the Housing Executive’s new model will promote tenants’ involvement in the delivery of the housing service
- the future of the remainder of the Housing Executive - which administers benefits, provides accommodation for the homeless and publishes housing investment plans for councils
Addressing barriers to housing supply - and ensuring housing is built in the areas of greatest need, such as north and west Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, with discussion on:
- planning and finance - finding suitable sites, access to finance, expediting applications, and addressing concerns over shortage of skilled staff in planning departments
- skills development - looking at priorities for support and investment, and the future of initiatives such as housebuilding apprenticeships
- infrastructure - with discussion expected on roads and public transport links, broadband, and provision for water and wastewater
Support for first-time buyers in Northern Ireland - and the future of the Co-Ownership scheme following the recent announcement of a further £13m in funding
Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping:
- impact of recent policy changes - whether the changes to the Housing Executive, including introducing the right of the Executive to borrow and build new homes, will be effective
- housing waiting lists - how they can be reduced throughout Northern Ireland, and looking at options for the use of empty properties
Who attended:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Amongst the attendees were officials from the Department for Communities, NI; the Department for Infrastructure, NI; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Department of Health, NI; the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (ROI); and the Northern Ireland Assembly. As well as representatives from Apex Housing Association; Barclays; Belfast City Council; Campbell Tickell; Chartered Institute of Housing; Connswater Homes; Derry City and Strabane District Council; Extern; Galway City Council; Inner City Helping Homeless; KPMG; Northern Ireland Civil Service; Northern Ireland Electricity Networks; Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance; RPS Group; South Ulster Housing Association; Spring Social Prescribing; Strategic Investment Board; Supporting Communities and Urban Property Solutions.
A press pass was reserved by a representative from VIEWdigital.
