Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough councillors have been briefed on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's latest plans and performance at the annual Housing Investment Plan update on Monday 28 September 2026, where the organisation confirmed total investment of £34m in the borough during 2025/26.

Caroline Connor, the Housing Executive's Interim Director of Strategic Housing Authority, outlined current pressures across the sector, reviewed progress over the past year and set out priorities for the year ahead.

Ms Connor said: "Challenges within the housing sector remain significant, especially with regards to improving existing homes, meeting the demand for new homes and for temporary accommodation.

"Our focus is on targeted investment in housing supply, improving the quality our own homes and providing support to those who need it most - this is essential in improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities."

Reflecting on recent work to existing stock, she said: "Over recent years, we have been pleased to be able to deliver programmes of improvements to our own homes, including energy efficiency measures."

-- Advertisement --

Detailing capital investment, Ms Connor said: "During 2025/26 we invested £8.91m in Housing Executive properties and further proposed spend of £11.28m is planned for our homes across the Borough in 2026/27.

"Whist this is good news to many of our tenants; Councillors have been made aware of the requirement for access to longer term funding streams to be able to continue investing in our homes to a decent standard."

On new-build delivery, Ms Connor noted: "In relation to new-build, investment in homes in the Borough saw 233 Housing Association units on-site at March 2026.

"Any addition to housing stock is a benefit and we continue to make for case for funding to meet the need and work with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the housing sector to identify opportunities for more development in the years ahead.

"The vital assistance for some of most vulnerable households in our communities continued throughout the year, with £5.13m invested through the Supporting People programme, enabling 68 services to provide housing support to 1,396 people last year.

"Across the Borough, 749 people who presented as homeless were accepted for support last year - a ringfenced budget for 2025/26 and 2026/27 will help to focus on homelessness prevention and providing the right help at the right time for people who need it."

"We know this is more important than ever when we continue to face deep rooted challenges in the housing sector."

Discussing the wider economy, she said: "In addition to investing in homes and communities in 2025/26, we are also pleased to have been able to support the economic future of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area with a steady, positive impact on employment and local supply chains, demonstrating the vital economic lever that housing provides, both Northern Ireland wide and throughout our local communities.

"Whilst we recognise the challenging environment we are operating in, we are also confident that there are many opportunities to build on the great work carried out through partnerships with our local councils."

"I am looking forward to continuing this work as we deliver against our shared goal of providing better places to live for the people and communities we serve."