§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the number of new homes being built by the public sector in Northern Ireland. [107437]
§ Mr. BrowneA Needs and Effectiveness Review of Housing last year questioned the accuracy of the Net Stock Model which is the means for determining the level of new build social housing. Accordingly, the Department for Social Development commissioned research through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive with the aim of developing a more robust model, one that would identify housing need and demand over a 10-year period. The research, which will review and analyse the most recent demographic trends emerging from the 2001 census as well as the most up to date economic and social trends, will be available later this year. Clearly, the results of this work will be essential in helping inform decisions about the future level of new build social housing.