Northern Ireland’s government has acknowledged a significant shortfall in its social housing goals, with only about 1,000 new homes expected to be started this year, far below the 5,850-unit target set for 2027.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons attributed the shortfall to a “continually constrained” budget environment, stating that despite allocating 80% of his available capital spending to housing, the funding remains insufficient to meet the ambitious target.
The Programme for Government had committed to initiating at least 2,000 new social housing starts per year to address the growing demand. However, the current budget will fund fewer than 1,000 starts this year, a decrease from the 1,504 homes started last year.
Minister Lyons emphasized the importance of social housing in providing affordable, stable housing options for those who might otherwise struggle in the private rental market. He also pointed to medium-term policies, such as obtaining borrowing powers for the Housing Executive, which could help increase the housing supply.
The shortfall has left many individuals and families in dire situations. Caoimhe Austin, a Londonderry resident with mobility issues, expressed her despair, stating that she has been on the housing waiting list for three years and feels that politicians need to understand the real-life situations of those waiting for homes.
The government has committed to putting the same effort into driving up housing figures this year as was done last year, and Minister Lyons has indicated that proposals will be brought to the executive to address the funding gap.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in meeting housing needs in Northern Ireland and the urgent need for increased investment and strategic planning to address the housing crisis.
