A high-level fact finding trip to view successful social housing schemes is being undertaken with a view to interpreting such initiatives into a Northern Ireland context.

The NI Assembly's Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, is meeting with UK Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper to hear how the Government plans to tackle the lack of social and affordable homes across England.

There is a 63% shortfall in the capital funding needed to tackle social housing in Northern Ireland, and it is therefore a priority under the Assembly's Draft Investment Strategy. This is expected to mean that no social housing 'starts' will take place next year at all, but the Minister has said she is determined to explore every avenue to try to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Margaret Ritchie said: “I am determined to champion the cause for the vulnerable, elderly and those in poverty in our society.

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"There is a massive shortfall in what I have been allocated in the present draft Investment Strategy to meet housing need.

"We desperately need an injection of capital into social and affordable housing. I will leave no stone unturned in my search for solutions.

“I am very keen therefore to hear how the British Government plans to deliver on its recent pledge to provide three million more social and affordable homes in England by 2020.

"During this visit I hope to identify opportunities that will complement the work I have already set in train, such as my own Affordability Review Group and Panel of Experts that I established to consider the recommendations contained in Sir John Semple’s recent report," she explained.

The Minister is meeting Yvette Cooper as part of a round of meetings in London where she will meet a see key stakeholders and academics with a strong background in housing matters.

She will also visit two housing schemes in East and West London. The scheme in Tarling, East London will highlight the positive role that housing can play in the regeneration of local communities and the second scheme in Shepherds Bush, West London, will address high density living for families in larger homes in a prime location.

Margaret Ritchie continued: “It is clear that Northern Ireland is not unique in struggling to meet the challenge created by the housing boom.

"Indeed we are relative newcomers to the problem when compared against other regions elsewhere and we can learn from their experience," she said.

(BMcC)