This timely conference will be an opportunity to consider the key challenges facing both the public and private housing sectors in Northern Ireland as the Executive and stakeholders implement the Facing the Future: Housing Strategy for Northern Ireland Action Plan 2012-2017.
Delegates - including key policymakers, developers, law firms, house builders, housing associations - will discuss how to increase the level of house building taking place including particular shortages in certain locations, and the availability of social housing. The effectiveness of the new Housing Supply Forum in meeting these challenges will be discussed, as will the likely impact of proposed changes to the role and structure of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Further topics for discussion are likely to include how housing policy can be used to achieve the aim of driving regeneration and sustaining communities, as well as the continuing disparity between house prices in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, how the Help to Buy scheme is impacting on prices and other measures the NI Executive or the UK Government can take to assist first-time buyers seeking to enter the housing market.
Nelson McCausland MLA, Minister for Social Development, Northern Ireland Executive and Mags Lightbody, Director of Transformation, Northern Ireland Housing Executive have agreed to deliver keynote addresses at this seminar.
Tristan Compton, Representative for Edinburgh & South East Scotland, National Landlords Association; James Hagan, Chairman, Hagan Homes; Clare McCarty, Group Chief Executive, Clanmil Housing Association; Colm McDaid, Chief Officer, Supporting Communities NI; Tony McQuillan, Director, Shelter NI; Stewart Smyth, Lecturer, Queen's University School of Management and David Worthington, Director, Pragma Planning and Development have also agreed to speak.
Danny Kinahan MLA, Secretary, All-Party Group on Construction, Northern Ireland Assembly and Alex Maskey MLA, Chair, Committee for Social Development, Northern Ireland Assembly have kindly agreed to chair this seminar.
