The north’s largest housing association has called for a collective effort to tackle record waiting lists across the sector.
Radius Housing chairman Martin Pitt said water infrastructure remains a key barrier to ramping up development to meet the demand of the 45,000 household currently waiting for a home in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the housing association’s annual general meeting, Mr Pitt addressing the issues will require a joined-up sector-wide approach.
“If we are to match the scale of development seen in England, our sector needs to be enabled to deliver at least 2,500-3,000 new social homes per annum,” he said.
“This would not only begin to address acute housing need, but also stimulate the wider construction industry and business economy.
“Unlocking stalled housing schemes requires collaborative solutions to increase water infrastructure capacity.
“Good quality housing is a basic right, and it underpins better outcomes in health, education, employment, and wider economic resilience,” he added.
“If we want Northern Ireland to attract inward investment, we need a housing system that works.”
Radius is the north’s largest housing association, managing 14,000.
With a staff of 950 across 80 towns, it is also the region’s largest social enterprise.
Reflecting on Radius Housing’s performance over the past year, Mr Pitt said: “Our priority is to put customers first, delivering the best possible housing, care and support within thriving communities.”
It followed a year where 490 new homes were completed or commenced across the north, with £35 million invested in modernisation schemes.
Radius Housing reported a 12% increase in annual turnover to £116m.
The social enterprise recently secured £150m of private finance to support its plans for 1,500 new homes and retrofitting projects.
“In the past year we advanced the dial on key targets: from modernising core ICT systems to achieving the highest Moody’s rating available to UK housing associations bar one, demonstrating our financial resilience,” added the chairman.
Also speaking at the AGM, Radius chief executive John McLean said the housing association’s remains committed to protecting tenants from rising living costs while maintaining development ambitions.
“Our strategy focuses on what we can control to maximise positive impact,” he said.
“This year we shielded customers from the full force of cost increases while progressing an ambitious investment programme.”
Radius combined its AGM with an employee recognition event, honouring staff who demonstrated exceptional creativity, care, and dedication.
“We are a people business,” said Mr Pitt. “Our achievements and the trust of our customers depend on the dedication of our staff, who live our values every day, often in the most challenging circumstances.”