To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any action his Department is taking to reduce the use of non-standard temporary accommodation, including any targets and timescales in place for reducing its use.

This issue is an operational matter for Northern Ireland Housing Executive, they have advised me as follows:

“The Accommodation Solutions Group is making significant progress in expanding our portfolio of temporary accommodation, with the aim of reducing our use and expenditure on non-standard accommodation. Efforts to reduce the use of non-standard are evidenced by the acquisition of 1,391 units of temporary accommodation across options such as HMOs, Single Lets and Voluntary Sector Hostels since November 2023. Additionally, the Housing Executive has exited 13 non-standard premises in order to improve value for money.

As part of our Business Plan for 2026/27 the Housing Executive has made a commitment that, within the life of this Corporate Strategy, to develop a credible plan with the Department for Communities, reflected in business plan targets, for reducing reliance on temporary accommodation, over time.”