To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any plans he has to work with local councils in identifying properties that have fallen into (i) dereliction; and (ii) disrepair, so that owners may be encouraged to bring them back into use as part of either private or social housing stock.

The powers which local Councils have to address dilapidated buildings fall under the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

However, my Department has worked with various local councils to regenerate towns and villages by addressing derelict buildings and bringing them back into use, including as homes. For example, the Department contributed £400,000 to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council “Empty to Occupied” scheme. One of the objectives of this Scheme is to create an opportunity for town centre living and will include bringing eight vacant properties in urban centres across the Borough back into residential use.

The Village Catalyst grant scheme is a partnership initiative between the Department for Communities, the Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, the Architectural Heritage Fund, and the Housing Executive. Applications are invited from charities, social enterprise and other not for profit groups in rural villages of less than 5,000 people, who want to tackle rural poverty and social isolation in their area by developing a sustainable use for a disused historic building in their village. 4 pilot projects have been completed to date and 13 villages are actively developing proposals. New projects are being sought for the scheme, which could include housing opportunities.

Heritage in Housing is a match funding programme from the Housing Executive, developed to support the Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), by reinstating empty upper floors of landmark buildings within conservation areas for private rent. Between 2015 and 2023, the Housing Executive has provided funding totalling £588,425 for the Heritage in Housing programme, which has contributed to the restoration of 25 empty properties and the provision of rental accommodation within five designated townscape conservation areas. It is anticipated that there is one year remaining of the THI in its current form. During this period, it is proposed that investment will be focused in Armagh and Lurgan.

The Housing Executive engages with statutory Community Planning partners including Councils, on an ongoing basis, to develop and deliver the actions and outcomes within each of the Community Plans. This engagement has included the development of co-designed ‘Place Shaping Plans’ which aim to identify opportunities to increase the supply of shared, accessible, and affordable housing in areas of housing need.