To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) any engagement his Department has had with housing associations to discuss barriers to delivering social housing in smaller towns and rural villages; and (ii) any financial or regulatory support being considered to overcome these challenges.

I am keenly aware that the provision of social housing delivery in rural areas presents significant challenges and requires different solutions than those in urban areas. Engagement with Housing Associations suggests that in addition to difficulties identifying suitable land, there are barriers relating to community infrastructure and sustainability, specifically connections to wastewater systems, adequate roads, NI Water capacity and proximity to schools. Housing Associations have also indicated that it can be difficult to get support for viable schemes due to a lack of evidence of housing need in rural areas.

My Department has set up a Steering Group which includes representatives from Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI Housing Executive, and Land & Property Services to explore the barriers to rural housing development and develop a plan to address them. Research commissioned by the group has recently been received and is currently being evaluated.