Debate contribution: Social Housing: Grant Support and Design Standards
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 29 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Social Housing: Grant Support and Design Standards
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5761418
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I am grateful to the Member for raising that issue. One of the greatest pressures on household budgets is the cost of heating our homes. That is why all of the issues are being looked at in that way. I am not saying that we should cut back on our standards in any way, and I make that very, very clear. These are issues that housing associations have identified as being surplus to what is required. Some of them are nonsensical, and some of them have come about because of the way in which the guide has been layered over the years. This is about common-sense changes. I have said that I want to work in partnership with housing associations. Yes, we have increased total cost indicators (TCI), and we have reduced the housing association grant at the same time. In addition to that, I want to make it easier for housing associations to build homes. They have identified issues that they believe are hurting their ability to build more homes. That is what we are addressing. I reassure the Member that we are not cutting down on standards. I want to have the most energy-efficient homes possible because, ultimately, that will be of benefit to those living in those homes.
211 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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