Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed an initiative by the public and private house building sectors to explore ways in which they can work together to add value to social housing.

The Minister was speaking at a 'Delivering Better Value in Social House Building' event in Belfast organised by the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and the Housing Association Movement. The seminar looked at a range of options for developing more cost-conscious design and streamlined procurement.

Minister McCausland said: "Over the next three years I plan to invest £340 million to deliver 6,000 new social and affordable homes. It is important we make every pound work as hard as it possibly can. Value for money and delivering more for less will be an increasing challenge for housing associations as we look to drive down on waiting lists.

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"It makes sense for the public and private sectors to come together to see what economies can be achieved. I want to harness the creativity of the private sector, with the experience of the public sector to bring forward solutions that can genuinely deliver."

Attendees at the seminar heard that new improved building regulations coming into operation later this year will give both sectors the opportunity to harmonise their respective working practices to further assist a closer working relationship.

The Housing Executive, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Strategic Investment Board and the Departments’ of Finance and Social Development also contributed to the debate.

(CD/GK)