Assembly Committee Turns its Attention to Housing

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 21 January 2016

Reference: SD 01/15/16

The Committee for Social Development, in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Housing, today hosted a conference on housing, held in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast. 

The conference heard from a range of housing experts, and focused on the way appropriate housing solutions can improve people’s quality of life, delivering employment and economic growth. Discussions also centred on planning and funding social housing as well as ways of promoting stable communities where both the public and private sector play their part. 

Chairperson of the Committee, Alex Maskey MLA said: “Housing is of course a priority for this Committee but it is often seen as being in crisis. The crisis is not just one of not enough houses, or of the right type and affordability. It is about building stable communities and ensuring that people can aspire to something better for their families. This situation presents us with an opportunity to develop creative and collaborative solutions. 

“This conference has given us a chance to bring together experts from all parts of the housing sector—including those involved in planning and financing both public and private housing – to consider what those solutions might be"

Mr Maskey concluded: “One of the most important things to come out of this discussion today is that there is no one model to fit all circumstances. Housing needs are diverse and the solutions must be equally diverse and flexible. We need the right mix of choices where the public, voluntary and private sectors can all play their part.

“We can find ways to resolve these issues and I believe that this conference is playing its part in finding the solutions we need.”

CIH Director for Northern Ireland Nicola McCrudden said: “CIH’s vision is a housing system that works for everyone – this involves building more homes, building sustainable communities and ensuring that housing is both accessible and affordable.

“While there are significant challenges facing the sector, there are also major opportunities to deliver better housing outcomes for all. We are eager to continue actively working to identify effective solutions – we hope that today’s conference has played a role towards this.

“CIH aims to provide a professional and impartial voice for the whole housing sector. Whether people’s needs are to rent or buy, good quality housing helps people live well, enjoy better health and is crucial to supporting our economic growth."

Ms McCrudden concluded: “I am grateful to the Assembly Committee for Social Development and its Chairperson, Alex Maskey, for facilitating and taking part in this conference; I know that the strategies we agree here can become an important part of the debate and effective solutions.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Speakers at the conference were:

  •  Alex Maskey, Chairperson, Committee for Social Development
  • Terrie Alafat, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Housing
  • Donald Hoodless, Chairman, Northern Ireland Housing Executive
  • Jenny Muir, Housing policy consultant
  • Michael Rafferty, Group Finance Director, Choice
  • John Armstrong, Managing Director, Construction Employers Federation

 

Find MLAs

Find your MLAs

Locate MLAs

Search

News and Media Centre

Visit the News and Media Centre

Read press releases, watch live and archived video

Find out more

Follow the Assembly

Follow the Assembly on our social media channels

Keep up-to-date with the Assembly

Find out more

Useful Contacts

Contact us

Contacts for different parts of the Assembly

Contact Us