NIFHA Press Room
Exceeding the target!
Thursday 3 April 2008
Members of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) met and exceeded the government’s target of new starts set for 2007-08. Our members achieved 1,595 starts for new social rented homes in Northern Ireland during the financial year 2007-08.This figure was achieved despite a myriad of constraints experience in developing housing. NIFHA’s Chief Executive, Chris Williamson, commented: “We are delighted with this figure. This last financial year saw a huge number of challenges for housing associations, not least of all the uncertainty about the amount of funding from the government. To not only meet but exceed the Minister’s target in light of this is a superb result.”
The essential contribution housing associations are making to social housing will continue. Accommodation and services provided by housing associations enhance many lives and communities in NI.
NIFHA’s members also completed 1,410 housing units within the financial year.
-Ends-
Notes to the Editor
- DSD / NIHE target for new starts in 2007-08 was 1,500 units of accommodation.
- NIFHA is the umbrella organisation representing, supporting and promoting the activities of the 36 registered and 7 of the non-registered Housing Associations in Northern Ireland.
- Housing Associations provide over 30,000 units of accommodation - a quarter all social rented housing in NI
- Since 1998 Housing Associations have provided virtually of all new social housing in NI
- The private finance Housing Associations attracted between 1991 and 2007 has resulted in an additional 5,300 (statistical source DSD) homes for social accommodation
