North Down - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

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Executive Summary Each year the Housing Executive publishes District Housing Plans for the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland. These documents form part of our statutory requirement to consult with councils on our programmes and performance. Section 1 Regional context Section 1 outlines our priorities and spending for the year ahead. It also gives a brief overview of existing and emerging policies driving the housing market. Section 2 North Down housing market analysis Planning • Important documents that influence planning decisions in North Down include the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035 and the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015; • The DOE Northern Ireland Housing Land Availability Report for 2012 estimates potential for 4,626 new dwellings in North Down. Socio-economic statistics • Census figures show the population DETI (NI) reports 3.7% of North Down’s of North Down increased by 3.4% working age population were claiming between 2001 and 2011 to 78,937 unemployment related benefits at March and is projected to increase to 2013, lower than the Northern Ireland figure 80,183 (1.6%) by 2021; of 5.6%. • The population is ageing; it is projected that by 2021 older people will represent 23.1% of the population in the borough; • The number of households increased by 7.7% between 2001 and 2011 to 33,255, and is projected to increase a further 8.6% by 2021, reaching 36,100. Over the same period, the average household size decreased from 2.41 to 2.33 and is projected to decrease further to 2.16; • According to DETI, 3.7% (1,858) of the working age population of North Down were claiming unemployment related benefits at March 2013, a decrease of 1.0% over the year; • At March 2013, 1,857 Housing Executive tenants in the borough were claiming housing benefit, an increase of 2.7% since March 2012. 4
Housing market statistics • According to Census 2011, North Down comprises 33,255 households with ‘usual residents’; • With 75.6% of households owning their property in North Down, owner occupation is more prevalent than in Northern Ireland, where the equivalent figure is 67.5%; • The private rented sector houses 13% of households in North Down, compared with 15% across Northern Ireland; • The proportion of social housing in the borough (9.9%) is less than the Northern Ireland figure of 14.9% (Source Census 2011); • The University of Ulster’s Quarterly House Price Index records the average house price in North Down Borough as £195,662 during 2012. This represents an increase of 24.3% on the previous year and is above the Northern Ireland average of £138,147. Given the low sales base, caution should be exercised when interpreting these figures. Local estate agents report that house prices remained largely static during 2012; • At March 2013, the Housing Executive owned 2,694 properties in North Down, having sold 2,928 properties since the introduction of the House Sales Scheme; • There is a projected requirement for a further 770 units of social housing in North Down between March 2012 and March 2017; • At December 2012, there were 2,354 applicants registered on the waiting list for social housing in Bangor District; 1,167 (49.6%) were in housing stress; • Annual allocations rose to 254 in the During 2012/13, 782 people presented year ending December 2012, helping as homeless, 384 (49.1%) of whom were to narrow the gap between demand awarded Full Duty status. and supply in the borough; • Economic uncertainty continues to impact the housing market in North Down. Affordability remains an issue for first time buyers who continue to experience difficulties in securing mortgage finance; • House price adjustment is still ongoing, particularly at the higher end of the housing market. A dramatic increase in the volume of transactions is not expected over the next 12 months; • The private rented sector is robust, with high demand for good quality rentals. Private housing benefit claims continue to increase, though there is evidence of singles under 35 leaving the sector due to the increase in the age limit for the Shared Room Rate of Local Housing Allowance; • The impact of welfare reform on waiting lists is difficult to predict, although there is concern the supply of one bed accommodation is insufficient to meet demand. As a result, the Housing Executive promotes the development of a minimum 200 units by housing associations in each year of the SHDP 2013 – 2016. 5
Page 1 and 2: North Down District Housing Plan &
Page 3 and 4: Contents Foreword .................
Page 5: Following the Northern Ireland Audi
Page 9 and 10: Corporate Objective 3: Building str
Page 12 and 13: Section 1 Regional Context 1.1 Intr
Page 14 and 15: The UK Government is remodelling th
Page 16: 1.6 House Condition Survey - 2011 F
Page 19 and 20: The Northern Ireland Housing Land A
Page 21 and 22: • Potential for growth in the int
Page 23 and 24: Estate agents report there is suffi
Page 25: Table 3: Social housing statistics
Page 28 and 29: In line with the proposed separatio
Page 30 and 31: In a move to avoid disputes over de
Page 32 and 33: 3.3 Objective 2 - Supporting indepe
Page 34 and 35: Kilcooley Neighbourhood Renewal Are
Page 36 and 37: • The Continuous Tenant Omnibus S
Page 38 and 39: to 66 at 2011. The SAP rating takes
Page 40 and 41: Activities organised for the offici
Page 42 and 43: “I couldn’t believe how nice th
Page 44 and 45: Appendix 1 Social Housing Developme
Page 46 and 47: Appendix 2 Maintenance and grants i
Page 48 and 49: Appendix 3 Social Housing Need Asse
Page 50 and 51: Appendix 5 Housing Executive stock
Page 52: This document is available in alter

North Down - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

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