To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps she is taking to ensure that surplus public land is prioritised for social and affordable housing development.

My Department’s Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) identifies Local Development Plans (LDPs) as the primary planning vehicle to meet social and affordable housing needs identified through a Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Market Analysis. It indicates that LDPs should do this by zoning land for social/affordable housing, or by indicating, through key site requirements, where a proportion of a site may be required for social and affordable housing. This will not preclude other sites coming forward through the development management process.

My officials continue to work closely with housing officials in the Department for Communities, Council officers, and the NIHE to ensure that collectively, we can facilitate an adequate and available supply of quality homes to meet the needs of everyone.