5 September 2006
HANSON LAUNCHES HOUSING AFFORDABILITY REVIEW
An initiative to find ways to make housing more affordable for people on low incomes was announced by David Hanson MP today.
The Social Development Minister has appointed Sir John Semple to lead a housing affordability review that will look into obstacles to home ownership. Its initial proposals will be published later this year for public consultation. The Minister said:
"Access to affordable housing is critical to a person's or a family's quality of life. Those who cannot find decent accommodation pay a high price in personal terms and this can lead to social exclusion.
"On the other hand, good housing can help improve people's health and well-being. It can influence children's educational attainment and help individuals to take part in normal social activities. It also contributes to the stability and economic well-being of our communities.
"Government is committed to making sure that everyone has access to a decent affordable home. We recognise that housing has become increasingly difficult for many people to access. Homelessness and housing stress continue to rise and house price inflation in Northern Ireland has outstripped other parts of the UK. It is clear that there are some areas, mainly urban, where communities are under stress and the demographic profile is predominantly elderly or those less well off. We need to explore the scope to regenerate these communities by changing the social, economic and tenure mix. This issue was flagged up in the Renewing Communities Action Plan where I announced, in particular, additional incentives to encourage private sector housing investment in such areas.
"I have chosen Sir John Semple to take this challenge forward. He is well placed to do the job with many years of experience, first as former Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and more recently as Director of Northern Ireland Affairs Royal Mail Group. Those of you who know Sir John will be assured that he won't be afraid to ask the hard questions or make the necessary recommendations, however challenging or difficult they may be."
Sir John thanked the Minister for establishing the review and commended Government for its commitment to seeking practicable solutions to the affordability problem. He said:
"The review will consider not just the problems experienced by first time buyers and low-income households attempting to enter owner-occupation but will also look at the social and private rented sectors. It has a wide remit and will consider existing policies and programmes such as the social housing development programme, co-ownership and planning policies as well as exploring innovative approaches to improve the supply of social and private housing.
"I intend to meet with the various stakeholders early in the process and I will hold a number of seminars across the country to both gather information and hear first hand how the problem is impacting on people's lives. Whilst I want to hear about the problems; I am also seeking solutions and to this end I want to talk to as many people as possible."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. More information can be found at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/hsdiv-housing-affordability.htm
2. House price inflation in 2005/06 Northern Ireland was 18.5% per annum compared to 5.8% in England.
3. At March 2006 32,215 people were on the Common Waiting List for social housing of these 17,433 were in Housing Stress.
4. In 2005/6 20,121 individuals presented as homeless of which 48% (9,749) were accepted. This is an increase on 2004/5 when 8,470 applicants were awarded homeless status.
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