Committee Examines New Housing Executive Review

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Social Development today questioned PricewaterhouseCoopers, the authors of a major report on the first independent strategic review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 40 years.

Committee Chairperson, Alex Maskey MLA said: “This Review is fundamental to the future of housing here, most importantly social housing provision. We believe that it is important to examine any proposals and make our views known to the Minister at the earliest opportunity.

“This is obviously a crucial report as it not only looks at current organisational issues in the housing sector, but also makes recommendations for improving the delivery of strategic, landlord and operational roles which currently reside within the Housing Executive.

“Many people in our local communities are dependent on the availability of social housing and we are keen to ensure that the recommendations in this report will be to the benefit of those people.

“PricewaterhouseCoopers is due to discuss their proposals in detail with all key stakeholders over the summer months and to take account of any views on the current proposals. We have asked PricewaterhouseCoopers and senior Departmental officials to return to the Committee in September to update us on this consultation process.

“We will be informing the Minister of our views and any concerns at this stage and will do all to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are scrutinised closely before any findings are put into effect.”