A new £15 million additional fund has been announced to support the construction of new social housing across Northern Ireland.

This new investment available to Housing Associations takes into account the unprecedented upsurge in material costs and is on top of the increased new build budget of £162m.

Communities Minister Deirdre discussed the funding during a visit to a new social housing site at Glenmona, West Belfast, where 653 homes (549 social and 104 affordable) will be built to meet demand in the area.

Minister Hargey said: "Delivering more social housing to areas most in need is central to my programme of housing reform. The 653 homes which will be constructed here in Glenmona, will add to the many currently under construction to meet the needs of our society and help reduce housing stress."

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The Minister added: "The new build programme is a massive injection of capital to address housing stress now and in the future. The investment I have directed to the social housing development programme represents 64% of my entire capital budget. That very much reinforces my commitment to addressing the needs of our society, the fundamental right to a home.

"The new homes being delivered right across our society will be life-changing to the people, children and families who are in housing stress. In order to deliver more homes for those who need them, we need a whole system approach. Through my reform programme, the revitalisation of the Housing Executive will be central to investing in existing homes, contributing to the supply of social housing and reducing housing stress, to achieve my vision that every household has access to a good quality, affordable and sustainable home that is appropriate to its needs."

The £140m scheme has been supported by £47.1m Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and over £92.7m private finance investment by Apex and will include a number of other community and workspace facilities.