NIFHA says funding from Westminster should be ringfenced for social housing in Northern Ireland

The call comes after the Department for Communities’ (DfC) budget was cut by 38%. 

The budget, approved by the Northern Ireland Executive, allocated the DfC £133m in capital funding for 2024-25, down from £216m last year. The capital budget for the department, which is responsible for housing, funds the Social Housing Development Programme. 

In June, officials revealed to the communities committee that there will only be enough funding for a maximum of 400 social housing starts this year.

NIFHA, along with other housing and homelessness bodies, previously outlined their “grave concerns” over the cuts to the first and deputy first minister.

Seamus Leheny, chief executive of NIFHA, said there is a “staggering gap” between the homes that are needed and the number that are funded.

He said that unless “we see real action to ensure both the social housing budget and the challenges to development are addressed, that gap will grow further”. 

Mr Leheny added: “The commitments that the new Labour government are making around housing are encouraging, and show a real commitment to ensuring that more homes are built. 

“As this policy progresses in England, we want to ensure that it can also benefit families here.”

He acknowledged the financial pressures that “all departments face”, but said the importance of social housing “cannot be ignored”. 

“Housing has an important role in health, educational and employment outcomes, and should be given greater recognition. 

“Housebuilding has both social and economic benefits, and in Northern Ireland social housing development is key for the construction industry. 

“We will continue to press this issue with the communities minister, the finance minister and the deputy prime minister,” he said. 

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department for Communities have been contacted for comment. 

A spokesperson for the Treasury said: “We are resetting our relationship with the Northern Ireland Executive and will work in partnership to deliver on the priorities of people in Northern Ireland.

“The Northern Ireland Executive can allocate resources it receives from the UK government as it sees fit across its devolved responsibilities, which includes housing.”