To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of social housing units added to the Housing Executive stock as a result of Section 76 planning agreements in each of the last five years.

This issue is an operational matter for the Housing Executive. With regard to the Housing Executive, I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows.

“Section 76 (S76) planning agreement is a legally binding agreement, usually between the applicant or landowner and a council, to secure specific planning obligations necessary to make proposed development acceptable. One of the uses of such an agreement is to secure affordable housing (social or intermediate housing). The planning agreement must be signed and completed before planning permission will be issued by Council.

The Housing Executive does not currently build social housing stock, therefore there have been no units added to Housing Executive stock as a result of S76 planning agreements.”

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive directly with regard to matters that are their responsibility. Making direct contact with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.