04/07/2005

Government to play part in affordable housing - Woodward

Government should play a part in addressing Northern Ireland’s need for affordable housing, Regional Development Minister Shaun Woodward has said.

The Minister was speaking as he issued Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12), entitled ‘Housing in Settlements’, which he said is a guide to housing development in Northern Ireland for the foreseeable future. It also sets out the range of government policies that address affordability.

"We want to see more people own their own homes and, whilst it is not possible for Government to deal with all the issues which surround the provision of affordable housing, there are ways in which we can help,” Mr Woodward said.

"The key mechanism is obviously the co-ownership scheme but within PPS12 we outline some other means that can be used. For instance, the zoning of land for social housing will help Housing Associations get sites to build houses. Also, the Housing Growth Indicators contained in the Regional Development Strategy are in the process of being increased. This should increase the supply of housing, which may reduce house prices and thus also help affordability."

The Minister said that PPS12 set out the policies for housing in cities, towns and other settlements throughout Northern Ireland and will assist in the implementation of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS).

The RDS was published with the approval of the Assembly on 20 September 2001.

(MB/KMcA)

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