Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillors have been updated on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s recent performance and forward plans at the annual Housing Investment Plan (HIP) update held on Monday 24 August 2026.

The organisation confirmed that total investment across the district reached £53.37m in 2025/26.

Interim Chief Executive Catherine McFarland outlined ongoing pressures in the housing system, including upgrading existing stock, delivering more new homes and meeting demand for temporary accommodation. She reviewed progress over the past year and set out priorities for the period ahead.

Catherine McFarland said: "Our focus is on targeted investment in housing supply, improving the quality our own homes and providing support to those who need it most - this is essential in improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

"Over recent years, we have been pleased to be able to deliver programmes of improvements to our own homes, including energy efficiency measures.

"During 2025/6 we invested £6.55m in Housing Executive properties and further proposed spend of £6.71m is planned for our homes across the district in 2026/27.

"Whist this is good news to many of our tenants, Councillors have been made aware of the requirement for access to longer term funding streams to be able to continue investing in our homes to a decent standard.

"In relation to new-build, investment in homes in the district saw 435 housing association units on-site at March 2026. "Any addition to housing stock is a benefit and we continue to make for case for funding to meet the need and work with Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the housing sector to opportunities for more development in the years ahead.

"The vital assistance for some of most vulnerable households in our communities continued throughout the year, with £6.64m invested through the Supporting People programme, enabling 61 services to provide housing support to 1,296 people last year.

"Across the district, 720 people who presented as homeless were accepted for support last year - a ringfenced budget for 2025/26 and 2026/27 will help to focus on homelessness prevention and providing the right help at the right time for people who need it.

"We know this is more important than ever when we continue to face deep rooted challenges in the housing sector.

"In addition to investing in homes and communities in 2025/26, we are also pleased to have been able to support the economic future of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area with a steady, positive impact on employment and local supply chains, demonstrating the vital economic lever that housing provides, both Northern Ireland wide and throughout our local communities.

"Whilst we recognise the challenging environment we are operating in we are also confident that there are many opportunities to build on the great work carried out through partnerships with our local councils.

"I am looking forward to continuing this work as we deliver against our shared goal of providing better places to live for the people and communities we serve."