David Hanson Welcomes Budget Housing Boost

23 March 2006
DAVID HANSON WELCOMES BUDGET HOUSING BOOST

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Minister for Social Development David Hanson today welcomed the Budget announcements to assist first-time house buyers.
The Minister said: "The Chancellor has acknowledged that affordability remains a problem for many and has identified shared equity as the main means for tackling this. This underpins our policy in Northern Ireland where the Co-ownership Scheme, which is fully funded by Government, has operated since 1978. Since then approximately half a billion pounds has been spent helping almost 20,000 people into home ownership.
"To build on this success, funding for Co-ownership has been increased by Ł23m over the three year period to 2008 to a total of almost Ł39m. This will help some 2,400 people to buy a home of their own. We have also just brought in changes to make it more accessible for more people on lower incomes."
The Minister added that Department for Social Development (DSD) officials are working with other Government Departments to find ways to determine how the planning system might be used to speed up delivery of extra affordable housing schemes. They are also working with organisations such as the Council of Mortgage Lenders to identify the opportunities for private sector involvement.
David Hanson also welcomed the continued funding for the Winter Fuel Payment. He said:
"This money is making a major contribution towards assisting vulnerable pensioners who are at most risk from fuel poverty. The amount has increased from Ł20 in 1996 when it was first introduced to the current level of Ł200 or Ł300 depending on age.
"Tackling fuel poverty is a top priority for me. We recently allocated more than Ł60million to the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund. This money will allow us to test technologies to increase the use of renewable energy including the use of solar panels and the development of community based heating systems.
"The Fund includes additional funding for the Warm Homes Scheme which was allocated by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget statement. This means I will be able to increase the volume of work carried out under the Warm Homes scheme from 8,250 to 10,000 homes. This includes an increase in the number of new central heating systems provided to pensioners from 2,750 to 4,000. I also propose to extend the eligibility criteria for central heating systems to include those in receipt of non-means tested disability related benefits."

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