Executive ‘at risk’ of missing social housing commencement targets, Lyons says

Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons has said he is “fed up” with people saying housing is a priority but not allocating the funding to it.

He was speaking as he said the Executive was “at risk” of missing its Programme for Government 2024-2027 target for new-build social homes due to funding shortfalls.

The Executive had committed to commence the construction of 5,850 new social homes by the end of its mandate.

Mr Lyons said that, at best, the construction of 3,250 social homes will have begun by the end of this year, meaning 2,600 will need to commence construction next year.

Speaking in the assembly on Tuesday, Mr Lyons said the support provided “by some Executive colleagues has been found wanting, particularly in relation to funding allocated to my department for social house-building”.

He said there was a shortfall of £128 million for social housing, and if he halted funding to any other sector in his department, he would still have a shortfall of £33 million.

“Others are saying that it’s up to me to find the money from within my budget,” he told MLAs.

“But it’s crystal clear that those who are saying that, their priorities do not lie with housing, and I think that the draft budget demonstrates just that.”

He added: “As I mentioned, the funding allocations made over the first two years mean that we now have to start 2,600 homes next year.

“This will be extremely challenging and puts at clear risk the achievement of the Executive’s PFG target.”

He said among the constraints to commencements are wastewater issues, which he is engaging with the Department of Infrastructure.

DUP MLA David Brooks, who said other ministers whose parties speak about social housing needs should “put their money where their mouth is”, asked about funding for social housing.

“The proposed funding for the SHDP (Social Housing Development Programme) is less than half the total required, so we’re £128 million short,” Mr Lyons replied.

“So even if I allocate no funding to any other project across my portfolio – urban regeneration, culture, heritage, sport, other housing priorities – I will still have a shortfall of £33 million.”

Asked by DUP MLA Diane Dodds whether he found it “strange” that the communities committee, chaired by Sinn Fein, had supported ensuring that funding for social housing was earmarked, but that “Sinn Fein in the Executive have not”, he said he did.

“We made a commitment as an Executive on this issue. I came forward and I said that I believe that social housing should be a priority. I said: ‘Here is what I believe our target should be.’

“The Executive agreed to that, they signed up to that, they reinforced that within the housing supply strategy.

“So I think that it should be fairly straightforward that it follows that the money comes.”

He added: “I’m fed up of people saying how much housing is a priority for them, but then they’re not prepared to follow that up with the funding.

“So a very clear question is: where do your priorities lie? And I hope Executive colleagues will join with me and join with the committee – and the unanimous view of the committee – that this money should be earmarked.”