The Department for Communities’ Housing Supply Strategy for Northern Ireland has received a mixed response from Propertymark.
While welcoming several positive aspects of the 15-year framework, Propertymark has expressed concerns about its ambition and ability to meet the region’s growing housing demand.
The strategy, approved by the Northern Ireland Executive on December 5, 2024, outlines plans to deliver 100,000 new homes by 2039. It focuses on creating desirable communities and addressing the increasing demand for housing.
Key elements include boosting housing supply, reducing cost pressures in the private rental sector, and improving data collection to better understand housing needs – a move Propertymark supports.
HOUSING CHALLENGE
Despite acknowledging the strategy as a step forward, Propertymark has criticised the annual target of 6,667 new homes, which it deems insufficient to meet the scale of the housing challenge.
The trade body highlighted that this target reflects a 15.5% reduction in the average number of housing completions over the 15 years to 2020.
Propertymark voiced similar concerns when the original plan was announced in 2022, describing it as lacking the necessary ambition to tackle the housing crisis effectively.
POSITIVE STEP FORWARD
Henry Griffith, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “Overall, the Department for Communities’ Housing Supply Strategy is a positive step forward that addresses many of the concerns Propertymark has raised in the past, such as using data to better understand the level of demand for new homes in Northern Ireland.
“However, we remain concerned that the target of 100,000 homes by 2039 falls short of the ambition needed to meet the sheer demand for housing.”
One of the strategy’s key goals is to ease pressure on the private rental sector by increasing housing supply.
Propertymark welcomed this commitment, noting that it aligns with recommendations they made earlier this year when devolved government was restored to Northern Ireland.
The strategy also includes plans to extend notice periods for private tenancies, an area where Propertymark has pledged to keep its members informed.
REGULATION OF LETTING AGENTS
The department also announced plans to commence a second phase of work to improve the private rented sector, which Propertymark hopes will include the regulation of letting agents.
This follows a recommendation from a Chartered Institute of Housing report advocating for mandatory membership in a Department for Communities-recognized body to raise standards in Northern Ireland’s property sector.
GREATER AMBITION
While the Housing Supply Strategy includes steps to improve the housing sector, including better use of Census data and ongoing collaboration with stakeholders, Propertymark maintains that more ambitious targets are needed.
The trade body has urged the Department for Communities to reassess its plans to ensure they match the urgency and scale of the housing demand across Northern Ireland.
Griffith adds: “Propertymark looks forward to continuing our engagement with the Department for Communities to ensure members are aware of the new provisions in this strategy.”
