CIH NI responds to latest housing statistics: Homelessness falls and social housing starts exceed target, but rising waiting lists highlight urgent need for continued investment

The latest Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin January – March 2025 reveals a welcome decrease in homelessness across the region. Furthermore, the figures show that 1,504 new social homes were started in 2024/25, exceeding the aspiration to commence 1,500. However, a significant increase in the social housing waiting list and the number of households experiencing housing stress highlights the critical need for sustained investment in new social homes.

Key findings from the bulletin include:

• Homelessness down: 2,715 households were legally accepted as homeless, an eight per cent drop from the same quarter last year. The number of households presenting as homeless also fell to 4,041, an 11 per cent decrease.
• Social housing waiting list increases: The waiting list grew to 49,083 households, up four per cent from the same quarter last year. This marks a concerning upward trend in recent years.
• Housing stress on the rise: The number of households experiencing housing stress has increased to 37,635, up six per cent from the same quarter last year, reflecting the growing needs of those awaiting a social home.
• Increased social housing allocations: The total number of households allocated a new social home reached 8,843. This shows more movement in the housing system, with eight per cent more families getting a home than in the same quarter last year.
• New social housing starts exceed aspiration: A total of 1,504 new social homes were started in 2024/25, exceeding the goal of 1,500 homes.

The drop in homelessness acceptances and presentations, alongside the achievement in new social housing starts, are positive developments. They indicate potential improvements in socioeconomic indicators, as well as the impactful work of support and prevention efforts. However, the steady rise in the social housing waiting list, and the increasing number of families in housing stress, clearly underscore the ongoing challenges many face in securing a suitable home.

Justin Cartwright, national director of the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland said:

"We are encouraged by the reduction in homelessness, which shows the positive impact of those working tirelessly in housing and homelessness services to help people find suitable homes and vital support. We also welcome the news that 1,504 new social homes were started in the last financial year, exceeding the aspiration of 1,500 – a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the housing sector. The increase in social housing allocations also suggests a welcome degree of improved fluidity within the housing system.

"However, despite these positive steps, the significant rise in our social housing waiting list and the increasing number of families under housing stress paints a very clear picture – we urgently need more social homes. While we are doing better with allocating existing homes and getting new projects off the ground, despite challenges, the core problem remains – a huge shortage of homes to meet the ever-growing demand.

"We remain concerned about the recent cut in capital funding for new social housing. The Department for Communities' budget now shows a £100 million reduction from what was initially planned, meaning we are sadly now likely to start around 1,000 new social homes this financial year, far short of the more than 2,000 we need. These cuts will really hurt the most vulnerable in our community and make the housing crisis even worse, making it incredibly tough to hit the Programme for Government's target of starting 5,850 new social homes by 2027.

"To keep up momentum in new builds and allocations, and to quickly address the growing need for social housing, we’re urging the NI Executive and relevant departments to look again at capital funding, speed up initiatives that simplify planning processes, and invest properly in vital infrastructure, especially for water and wastewater. A clear, long-term housing plan with realistic funding is essential to give developers the certainty they need and ensure everyone in Northern Ireland has a safe, affordable and quality home to call their own."