Social New Builds At Risk, Warns Minister

Northern Ireland Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie has called for a 'radical change' to her budget, after she revealed her department is facing a £200m shortfall.

Minister Ritchie told the Stormont Social Development Committee that her department's house building strategy for the next two years could be dramatically cut.

Plans to build 1,500 houses this year could be cut by 400, Ms Richie said.

Income generated from the sale of social housing has fallen to an extent where the department is facing a £95m shortfall next year.


A further £86m must be found to fulfill plans in 2011.

"It is very clear that the economic downturn is much more than could have been forecast just six months ago," said Ms Ritchie.

"And this will put pressure on all departments' programmes and therefore provide less in-year room for reallocations between departments than was possible in the past.

"This year's programmes have been under pressure all year because of the virtual collapse of house and land sales."

The Minister warned that plans to build 1,550 new social, and affordable, properties this year would have to be reduced, if more funds were not found by next month.

However, Ms Ritchie promised to look for ways to make that setback up.

(PR/JM)