The Construction Employers Federation (CEF) has reaffirmed the current challenges facing homebuilders stemming from the decades of underfunding of NI Water.

CEF Chief Executive Mark Spence discussed the crisis on BBC NI's Sunday Politics programme and outlined the wider economic impact that this is now having. 

Mark highlighted the CEF's recent survey of homebuilders which made clear that current wastewater capacity constraints are holding up some 8,450 homes equating to just under £1bn of investment.

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When coupled with the proposals of housing associations and other developers, approximately 19,000 homes are today unable to proceed. That figure doubles again to 37,000 if you factor in the number of housing enquiries that NI Water have received.

The CEF reiterated their full support for the call in the NI Audit Office report of March 2024 for the Department of Infrastructure to establish a "comprehensive review of alternative arrangements, led by suitably qualified experts" of NI Water's governance and funding.

Mark was joined by Seamus Leheny, Chief Executive of the NI Federation of Housing Associations, who also highlighted the extreme challenges facing housing associations and the lengthening social housing waiting list. 

To watch the segment on the programme, which commences at the 11:35 timestamp click here.