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Social Housing Support

Substantial additional investment has been made in social housing over the past number of years.  The range of programmes has broadened, with additional households now being offered wider affordable housing options for example.  Delivery methods have also diversified with the growth in voluntary and co-operative housing, innovative arrangements being applied to regeneration projects to broaden the housing mix and housing  coming on stream through Part V arrangements. Local authorities remain the main providers of housing for those in need who cannot afford it from their own resources.


To date “housing need” has been closely approximated with the need for a local authority housing tenancy.  This response is not always appropriate. 
With the expansion of social housing options, an individual may now be offered social rented accommodation through:-

  • arrangements with private landlords for long or short leases, for single or multiple units (Rental Accommodation Scheme);
  • units available in property owned or leased by the voluntary and co-operative sector;
  • units available in property owned or leased by the local authority which they have either built, procured or acquired through Part V arrangements.

The housing schemes and programmes for which the Department is responsible are virtually all delivered through the local authorities. 


Please find the link to the announcement of the 2009 Housing Budget in the News and Speeches box on the right.

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Publications & Documents

News and Speeches

Legislation