Armagh - 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 Armagh housing market analysis Planning • The Armagh Area Plan 2004 was adopted in 1995. Until the plan is replaced, it remains as the guidance for planning matters in the district; • The DOE Northern Ireland Housing Land Availability Report for 2012 estimates a potential for 6,377 new dwellings in Armagh City and District. Socio-economic statistics • Census figures show the population of Armagh City and District increased by 9.4% between 2001 and The percentage of the 2011 to 59,340 and is projected to increase to workforce claiming 65,722 (10.8%) by 2021; unemployment related • The population of the district is predicted to retain benefits in Armagh District its age profile, with no significant change in any of at March 2013 was 5.1% of the age categories between 2011 and 2021; the working age • The number of households increased by 16.9% population, lower than the between 2001 and 2011 to 21,594; The average Northern Ireland figure of household size decreased from 2.89 to 2.72 over 5.6% (Source DETI NI). the same period; • At March 2013, 1,386 Housing Executive tenants in the district were claiming housing benefit. Housing market statistics • Owner occupation is the most popular tenure in Armagh City and District and at 73.8% it is notably higher than the Northern Ireland figure of 67.5% (Source Census 2011); • The private rented sector comprises 14.0% of households compared with 15.1% across Northern Ireland (Source Census 2011); • The proportion of social housing in the district (9.4%) is considerably lower 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 Armagh City and District at £127,938 during 2012. This represents a decrease of 26% on the previous year and for the first time in several years, the average in Armagh is below the Northern Ireland average, which currently stands at £138,147; 4
• At March 2013, the Housing Executive owned 1,928 properties in the district having sold 3,911 dwellings since the introduction of the House Sales Scheme; • At December 2012, there were 869 applicants on the waiting list for social housing; 380 (44%) were in housing stress; • Economic uncertainty continues to impact on the During 2012/13, 259 housing market in Armagh. Affordability remains an people presented as issue for first time buyers who continue to experience homeless, 126 (49%) of difficulties in securing mortgages. House prices are still whom were awarded adjusting; Full Duty Status. • The private rented sector is popular, with high demand for good quality rentals in Armagh City. Private housing benefit claims continue to increase though the full effects of changes to housing benefit entitlement remain to be seen; • The gap between need and supply within Armagh social housing sector is widening. The impact of welfare reforms on waiting lists is difficult to predict. We continue to monitor the requirement for and availability of one bed properties. Section 3 Armagh local housing strategy During 2012/13 we spent £6.396 million in Armagh City and District, excluding investment in new build and grounds maintenance. For this year’s plan and in line with the Minister’s Assembly statement on the Fundamental Review of the NIHE, we have presented past performance and future programmes by our four corporate objectives and by regional housing services and landlord services. Regional housing services Corporate Objective 1: Delivering better homes • Five new build schemes for 46 social housing units were completed during 2012/13. Six schemes for 62 dwellings were on site at 31 st March 2013. Two new build schemes for 23 social housing units are programmed to start in 2013/14; • In 2012/13 five renovation grants and 27 repair grants were completed in Armagh City and District. The anticipated grants budget for 2013/14 is £491K; • The Warm Homes scheme facilitated insulation of 312 homes, six heating installations and both heating and insulation in a further 12. In addition, 58 properties of solid wall construction received internal dry lining insulation; • We are managing and delivering a new Boiler Replacement Scheme. 5
Page 1 and 2: Armagh District Housing Plan & Loca
Page 3 and 4: Contents Foreword .................
Page 5: Following the Northern Ireland Audi
Page 9: Landlord Services Corporate Objecti
Page 12 and 13: 1.3 Policy context The Northern Ire
Page 14 and 15: We see this as a prerequisite to ea
Page 17 and 18: Section 2 Housing Market Analysis 2
Page 19 and 20: Table 1: Key Demographic Statistics
Page 21 and 22: such changes are intended to de-ris
Page 23: Table 3: Social housing statistics
Page 26 and 27: In line with the proposed separatio
Page 28 and 29: DSD introduced the Tenancy Deposit
Page 30 and 31: 3.3 Objective 2 - Supporting indepe
Page 32 and 33: • The Shared Communities Programm
Page 34 and 35: Landlord Services The Housing Execu
Page 36 and 37: Action Plan 2013/14 • Continue to
Page 38 and 39: • North Down and Ards Area - Bang
Page 40 and 41: Appendix 1 Social Housing Developme
Page 42 and 43: Appendix 2 Maintenance and grants i
Page 44 and 45: Analysis of adaptations to Housing
Page 46 and 47: Appendix 4 Household composition of
Page 48 and 49: Definition of Household Types Singl
Page 50 and 51: Common Landlord Area Bung (i) Flat

Armagh - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

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