The Commission on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland, chaired by Lord Richard Best OBE, has published its first report analysing the issues and challenges facing the Northern Ireland Housing system. The report looks at what could comprise an effective housing system in the year 2020 and invites the Northern Ireland community to join the debate.

The Commission's initial analysis indicates that ongoing stability in Northern Ireland is creating a genuine opportunity to create the conditions for a 'public consensus for housing'. The Commission is continuing to explore how the main government drivers can be aligned to allow the housing community in Northern Ireland to look to the long term and 'steer through immediate challenges and demands'.

The Commission's wide ranging report frames some key areas where it would like further discussion to help shape before it makes its recommendations in early 2010. These include setting a long term strategy for housing, strengthening the role of tenants, changes to the system of oversight for housing, and ways to find new forms of investment. Whilst the report recognises the current economic climate and the difficult choices faced by all Governments, it hopes that by looking to the long term, this will enable solutions to be found over time.

The long-term thinking of the Commission has been reflected in a vision for housing around which a strategy could be based. By 2020, the Commission envisages a dramatic reduction in homelessness, a narrowing of the gap between existing homes and housing need, high physical standards, resolution of lack of affordability, intervention for those at risk of losing their home, mixed income and mixed tenure developments as the norm, flexible housing options to respond to changing circumstances, less waste in the housing system, a dramatic reduction in fuel poverty, widespread provision of support and advice, an environmentally efficient housing stock, and a balanced housing market.

Lord Richard Best OBE said: "This is a defining moment in the development of policy and the delivery of housing in Northern Ireland. The Commission hopes to facilitate a vision for the future for housing; to help citizens of Northern Ireland to be real beneficiaries of devolution, in terms of housing outcomes. Our report seeks to stimulate debate on the key issues which the Commission believes require resolution. Our hope is that the Commission's work will contribute to achieving lasting change for the housing system in Northern Ireland".