Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan have launched public consultations on proposals that aim to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Developer contributions would require developers to provide a proportion of newly-proposed housing developments (over a certain threshold) as affordable housing. The DSD consultation on 'Developer Contributions for Affordable Housing', which can be found at the DSD Website, sets out the policy behind developer contributions and seeks the public’s views on the introduction of such a policy in Northern Ireland and on the suggested level of contribution.

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Minister McCausland said: "The timing of the introduction of a developer contributions scheme in Northern Ireland is crucial, and I have considered it carefully in light of the challenges recently faced by the construction industry. However, recent figures indicate that the housing market is beginning to recover and that buyers are returning. This is welcome news and is an opportune moment to consult regarding the introduction of developer contributions."

Minister Durkan said: "There remains a huge demand for access to good quality affordable homes. This is evidenced by the significant numbers of people on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Common Waiting List, some 41,000 individuals as of March 2013. I am committed to playing my part in addressing this problem head on.

"My Department's draft PPS 22 aims to increase the provision of decent, affordable and sustainable housing to help meet this pressing housing need. In so doing they support the wider priorities of the Programme for Government, including the need to tackle disadvantage and improve health and wellbeing."

(CD/MH)