21 June 2000
MINISTER DEFENDS HOUSING BUDGET
Decent housing is a fundamental right of every citizen and I am dedicated to ensuring that this is delivered, Nigel Dodds, MLA, Minister for Social Development, said today.
Mr Dodds was speaking at the annual general meeting of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, where he re-affirmed his commitment to secure adequate funding for housing.
Referring to recent comments about the reductions in the Housing Executive's budget, the Minister said: "I am totally committed to securing adequate funding for housing in Northern Ireland. There are clear linkages between housing and many other essential services. It is generally acknowledged that bad housing and run down housing estates often leads to poor health, low educational achievement in young people, crime and the other factors that contribute to people being excluded from the rest of society."
The Minister continued: "In defence of the housing budget I made representations to Mark Durkan, Minister of Finance about the need for continuing investment in housing and the serious impact the planned reductions would have. In the context of the Spending Review 2000 I have again argued strongly for a sustained level of funding for housing in Northern Ireland."
In a wide ranging speech the Minister covered such topics as the common selection scheme for all social housing, house sales, best value, performance and fuel poverty.
In addition to comments on the overall level of resources for housing he also referred to the level of funding available for the housing association movement.
Some £71m will be available from public sources in the current financial year. Between them the building for rent and the Co-ownership association will attract almost £50m into the housing programme enabling them to start work on around 1700 new homes and help some 550 applicants into home ownership through the co-ownership scheme.
The Minister also paid tribute to the work that associations have been doing for the benefit of the community.
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
- The Minister will be addressing the NIFHA annual general meeting in Malone House at around 7.30 pm.