Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced an increase in the number of new social home starts across Northern Ireland during 2025/26, following record levels of investment.
The £210 million building programme has resulted in 1,765 new home starts in 2025/26, representing a 17% increase in delivery year-on-year.
Minister Lyons was speaking following a visit to the home of Lyndsay and Darren Carr on Minorca Avenue, part of a modern social housing scheme delivered by Choice Housing in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.
The Minister said: “I am pleased to see the increased provision of new social home starts which follows my securing of the largest investment ever in the Social Housing Development Programme. It reflects my clear commitment to helping people and families waiting for homes.
“I remain committed to doing all I can to deliver this, as there is still much more to do. I have introduced grant rates that challenge our Housing Associations to produce more homes per pound of public funding, and I will continue to work with Executive colleagues and partners to meet our shared goal of a warm, safe, affordable home for everyone.”
Minister Lyons reaffirmed the importance of a collaborative approach to housing as part of the roll-out of the first-ever Executive Housing Supply Strategy to deliver at least 100,000 more homes by 2039, with at least one third of those social homes.
He added: “I want to acknowledge the dedication and tremendous efforts made by officials, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Housing Associations to build more social homes across Northern Ireland.
“While challenges remain, the focus is very much on working in close partnership with our delivery partners to build on what has gone before and sustain momentum. That is why I have initiated reviews of both the grant we pay to build new social homes as well as the standards we ask associations to build them to.
“These reviews will ensure that public funding is deployed effectively to support the faster delivery of new homes while maintaining high standards of quality.
“Despite the financial constraints and challenges faced, meaningful progress is being made. Housing is one of my top priorities and I am determined to deliver real results for those most in need.”
Delivery partners have welcomed the progress made this year and also highlighted the importance of certainty over future funding.
Nicole Lappin, Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, said: “The Housing Executive, Department for Communities and Housing Associations have a shared goal to increase affordable housing supply.
“Despite ongoing budgetary uncertainty throughout the year, we worked closely with associations, local councils and infrastructure partners to ensure we could get as many new homes as possible on site this year.
“This will be good news for many households on the waiting list, given the growing demand for affordable housing across Northern Ireland.”
Seamus Leheny, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Housing Associations have, in partnership with Government, achieved 1,765 new social housing starts over 2025/26 and proven once again they are reliable delivery partners in getting critically needed new social and affordable homes built.
“There have been challenges in terms of funding, planning and infrastructure constraints but our sector has been in problem-solving mode over the past 12 months. We now move forward in working with the Department for Communities and other key stakeholders over the coming months to ensure we continue to build enough social and affordable homes in a mutually sustainable long-term manner in line with the Executive’s Housing Supply Strategy.”
Lyndsay and Darren Carr, who received the keys to their new property in March 2026, said: “Moving into our new home in Minorca Avenue has made a huge difference to us as a family with young children. It’s modern, comfortable and really suits our needs. This house represents a fresh start for us, and it has given us the stability and peace of mind we were hoping for.”
Michael McDonnell, Choice Group Chief Executive, said: “Managing over 14,000 homes with more than 500 staff, Choice has invested over £130million in new builds over the last five years, a commitment we would like to match over the next five years.
“During that period, we started 1,658 new homes, the highest level in our 50-year history, whilst investing £18million in maintaining our existing stock. Despite significant challenges, between 2021–2026, Choice has directed over £330million into the Social Housing Development Programme, supported by the vital funding efforts of our partners at Department for Communities and the Housing Executive.”
