FEWER social homes will be built this year after the collapse of power-sharing affected Stormont departments' budgets.
According to the Charted Institute of Housing (CIH), social housing targets have been lowered.
The initial target had aimed for building work to begin on 2,000 new homes this financial year. However that figure has been lowered to 1,750 homes.
CIH Northern Ireland said it understood the Department for Communities is allocating its entire capital budget to housing, after existing commitments are met.
Nicola McCrudden, director for CIH Northern Ireland said it is disappointing that 250 families will have to wait longer to be rehoused.
"The political stalemate has impacted on budgets and plans, reducing funds available for new social housing and deferring important work that underpins housing policy," she said.
"We welcome that the department has prioritised housing by committing most of its capital budget to housing.
"However we urge local parties to come together this week and restore government, to ensure we have the higher level of social housebuilding in future years that we desperately need."
