The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) has welcomed new government figures showing a significant increase in social housing delivery across the region, while warning that the progress remains fragile without sustained executive investment and action on systemic barriers.

Business Eye reported that figures published by the Department for Communities show housing associations delivered 1,765 social housing starts in 2025/26, a 17% increase on the previous year, supported by the £210 million (approximately €249 million) housing association development programme.

Seamus Leheny, chief executive of NIFHA, said: "The latest figures from the Department for Communities are really encouraging. Behind them are hundreds of families, older people and individuals moving off waiting lists and into high-quality, modern homes. Achieving this double-digit growth in an environment of restricted funding, wage and building supply inflation, wastewater connectivity issues and planning delays is testament to the efficiency and dedication of Housing Associations across the region."

However, Leheny cautioned that progress is fragile, noting that the sector remains committed to delivering an average of 2,200 social housing starts per year over the lifetime of the Housing Supply Strategy 2024–2039.

He said the Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver at least 5,850 social housing starts by the end of 2027, and that with 1,504 starts in 2024/25 and 1,765 in 2025/26, at least 2,581 additional starts are required by the end of December 2027.

Leheny added that without adequate and sustained funding from the Executive, meeting this core Programme for Government target would be extremely challenging, particularly in light of the December 2025 reduction in Housing Association Grant.

Access the full report on NIFHA's response to Northern Ireland's latest social housing delivery figures.