CIH NI responds to the announcement of affordable rent scheme to deliver 300 homes

The Department for Communities has announced a new initiative to support renters who find themselves priced out of the mainstream private rental sector.

The Intermediate Rent scheme will create a new supply of affordable rented homes across Northern Ireland at below market rents. Minister Gordon Lyons today announced that he will provide funding to Maple & May to deliver 300 new homes at an affordable rent, some of which will start construction within the next year.

Responding to the initiative, national director for CIH Northern Ireland Justin Cartwright said:

"The announcement of 300 new intermediate rent homes is a positive development for Northern Ireland. We are pleased to see the Department for Communities taking action to address the pressing need for affordable housing, and we welcome Maple and May’s appointment to deliver this important project. This scheme, which reflects policies we have been involved in developing, will provide much-needed support to those on lower to moderate incomes. The focus on providing high-quality homes at below-market rents, with enhanced security of tenure, is a significant step forward. We commend the collaborative effort that has brought this initiative to this stage, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on communities across the region."

Visit the Department for Communities website for detail on the affordable rent scheme.