Social Development 31 March 2014

Session: 2013/2014

Date: 31 March 2014


The Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, answered questions on a number of matters including housing, and jobs.

Ms Ruane, Mr Campbell and Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social development to outline any departmental finance that has been provided to co-ownership housing in each of the past three years.

The Minister explained that " During my term in office, I have taken significant steps to meet need across all housing tenures, and I have responded to the challenging economic situation with the first ever housing strategy for Northern Ireland.  As part of that strategy, I am committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing. 

In conjunction with private finance resources, funding from my Department has allowed Co-ownership to support the purchase of around 2,800 affordable homes over the past three years.  That has helped to meet the aspirations of those who seek to become homeowners but cannot do so without the assistance of the co-ownership scheme.  It allows applicants to purchase a home without taking out a mortgage for the full purchase price, allowing them to buy as large a share as they can to start with.  The funding allocated to the Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association was £28·25million in 2011-12; £33 million in 2012-13; and £50 million in 2013-14".  

Social Housing, DVA Job Losses and Welfare Reform were other topic during Oral Questions to the Minister.

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