PLANS to build thousands of new homes over the next decade and a half have been put out to public consultation.
The strategy announced yesterday by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey includes a target of 2,200 new social homes each year, an annual increase of around 700.
The plan aims to significantly reduce the 45,000 people currently on the social housing list, more than two-thirds of which are in so-called housing stress.
However, Ms Hargey's proposals, which include an ambitious target of 100,000 new public and private homes over 15 years, have been criticised for a lack of detail.
The minister said at least a third of the new homes would be social housing.
"These homes will be high quality and deliver for a wide range of needs, including the needs of our ageing population, those with disabilities and our children and young people," she said.
She said transforming the region's housing supply would require a "collective response from the executive and real collaboration".
"It must major on engaging with those people who are in housing need," she said.
"This approach is built on the principle that those who are most affected by poor housing are best placed to help design or redesign it.”
Ms Hargey urged the public and sectoral bodies to respond to the strategy consultation, which runs until February 9.
The strategy has been drafted in response to a growing population and in anticipation of new environmental standards for homes.
The Chartered Institute of Housing's regional director Justin Cartwright said the plans were "sound and ambitious".
He said the Housing Executive had recommended at least 2,000 new homes every year to tackle waiting lists that have increased during the pandemic.
"The minister’s strategy is high level enough that it should secure vital buy in from the Northern Ireland Executive," he said.
"This will play an important part in getting everyone working together to ensure more people can access a home that is affordable and right for their needs."
Mr Cartwright also welcomed plans to decarbonise existing housing stock.
But SDLP communities spokesman Mark H Durkan said strategy would "fail to clear social housing waiting lists".
“Minister Hargey plans to deliver over 100,000 homes over the next 15 years, but without detail as to how this will be achieved and afforded, her plan might as well be a letter to Santa," he said.
He said the strategy lacked ambition and would not meet future housing demand.
