Housing Rights welcomes the publication of the Northern Ireland Executive Programme for Government and the inclusion of housing as one of nine priority areas.
Since 2016, Housing Rights has advocated for a standalone housing outcome to be included in the Programme for Government with our partners at CIHNI, NIFHA and Homeless Connect.
Speaking about the publication, Housing Rights’ Chief Executive, Kate McCauley said:
“We very much welcome the inclusion of the supply of social and affordable housing as a priority area in the finalised Programme for Government. The extent of the housing crisis requires a robust and cross-governmental response; the agreed Programme for Government should pave the way for effective resourcing and delivery in this area so that ambition is now matched by delivery.
We are especially pleased that the final draft also includes a strategic emphasis on preventing homelessness, reforming the private rented sector and to doing all of this in a way which is genuinely collaborative and cross sectoral. In each of these areas, there is much work to do which must include legislative reform and meaningful resourcing, but this is a good step forward."
The Programme for Government has been published on the Northern Ireland Executive website.
You can read Housing Rights consultation response to the draft Programme for Government.