Political crisis: CIH calls for ‘certainty of NI Executive‘ for timely progress of housing reforms

Today’s decision by the First Minister to resign and collapse the Northern Ireland Executive could disrupt progress on housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland has warned.

Changes in recent months have signalled a positive future for housing and communities and those awaiting a home. Examples include moves to improve security and energy efficiency of private rented homes, the revitalisation of the Housing Executive and plans to increase the amount and type of affordable housing.

The speed at which these changes come into play could now be impacted by the latest collapse, considering their reliance on the budget, which has not yet received executive consent.

Justin Cartwright  |  CIH Northern Ireland director

This is a disheartening day for housing professionals and the tenants and communities they serve. The plans laid out in the draft housing supply strategy to build over 100,000 homes over the next 15 years are likely to be made more difficult to fulfil due to today's actions. The number of new social homes fell during the last executive collapse due to budget delays, impacting people in housing need. We hope that today's decision will be short lived. Otherwise, an executive must be swiftly formed immediately after the election to ensure that no more barriers are put in place that will halt the progress of housing reforms in Northern Ireland. It is imperative that the housing sector has the certainty that an executive offers. We should not be hindered from meeting the housing needs of people here.

For more information, please contact CIH communications manager, Karen Ireland.