NIFHA Policy Solutions Spring 2026

Northern Ireland is facing a housing emergency, with 91,122 people on the social housing waiting list. While our commitment as a sector to building much needed social homes remains firm, the current trajectory is increasingly difficult to sustain. It is essential that we find better ways to empower housing associations. Housing associations cannot meet the growing demand alone, and the scale of need requires ambition, partnership, and a shared commitment to lasting solutions including:

• An appropriate funding model for new-build social housing
• Prioritisation of infrastructure upgrades in areas of housing need
• Mechanisms to allow public land to be transferred to housing associations
• Sustainable funding model for the Supporting People programme
• A coordinated housing strategy for older people

Read the full document here: NIFHA Policy Spring 2026