CEF attended a workshop for all stakeholders who responded to the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy that was published in October 2012.

The stakeholder event was organised by the Assembly’s Committee for Social Development. CEF emphasised to the Committee the vital role that housing plays in stimulating economic growth and prosperity.

CEF made the argument that investing in construction has a proven multiplier effect with every £1 spent on construction generating a further £2.84 back into the wider economy. The construction of new homes provides jobs and training opportunities for young people not just in the building industry. However, it also creates demand for goods and services in the wider economy.

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John Armstrong, CEF Managing Director said: "CEF welcomes the proposed introduction of a Housing Strategy for Northern Ireland. However we are concerned that the current draft is lacking in detail on exactly how the supply of houses in both the public and private sectors can be increased. There needs to be a greater emphasis on how the private and public housing sectors can work together to both meet the need for affordable and social housing and to stimulate demand in the private housing market."

The Assembly's Social Development Committee will be holding a series of these stakeholder workshops and CEF will continue to lobby for a detailed action plan to increase the supply of new housing in both the private and public sectors.

(CD/H)