Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Conference Delegates.  My thanks for your warm welcome and kind invitation to join you this afternoon at this your Annual Conference.

I see that your theme for Conference this year is ‘Time for Change’.  Given the very challenging times we face, I don’t think you could have picked a better theme.

Earlier this year I made what could literally be described as a ‘culture’ change myself from being Minister at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to my new portfolio in Social Development.

That was my time for change. And now that I have had time to look closer at the Housing Association movement here, I want to take this opportunity to share my thoughts with you about what I see as being your time and your need for change.

From the outset let me be very clear.  There is a real place and role for Housing Associations in Northern Ireland, both now and in the future.  I value your work and am determined that in going forward, we build on the success of the movement to date.

In the last few months I have been able to see for myself the results of your work in communities’ right across Northern Ireland. Whether you are providing the latest energy efficient housing in Carnlough or a scheme for older people in the Sandy Row, there is no disguising the value you add.  And you don’t need to take my word for that.  The recognition you receive from others is testament to your success and the recent award for the ‘Mullan Mews’ housing with care scheme for people with Dementia is a prime example of what you can deliver.

So Housing Associations here do add value, you do have a role to play and you most certainly have a future.

 

So what does that future look like?

Well it must involve a leaner, more fit for purpose movement.  The current number of Housing Associations here is simply not sustainable.  I know there have already been some mergers between Housing Associations here in recent years whilst others are being discussed.  However, the recent issues identified on Inspection simply underline the scale of the problem affecting many, particularly smaller associations and we can not ignore this any further.

Now I will admit, I myself can become quite frustrated at times when I see bureaucracy creeping into Government without good reason or cause.  But with over £160m of tax payers money paid to Housing Associations here last year alone, it is simply unrealistic to expect Government not to follow the money and make sure it is being used appropriately.  So whilst I know many of you complain about the Inspection regime, there is good reason why it exists as it does and I am convinced now is not the time to talk about reducing that level of oversight.  However, I give you this assurance when as a sector the highest levels of governance are demonstrated I will be the first to acknowledge that and work to design a system of Inspection that provides assurance and is flexible to provide a “light touch” where this is merited and very focused oversight where there are issues.

In calling for a leaner movement, we must not lose sight of the real value that community based Housing Associations bring. Big is not always beautiful.  So I am not advocating larger Housing Associations that simply eat up smaller community based associations who then lose touch with the communities they are supposed to serve.  I want to see how we can harness the collective strengths of all our Housing Associations, big and not so big through a programme of rationalisation that you can take control of. I want to see the capacity of our larger associations utilised alongside the local knowledge and insight of smaller community based associations.  We don’t need a Housing Association for every community.  But every community needs access to a Housing Association that will deliver for them.  So we must find this balance.

I want to see your own proposals for how the Housing Association movement here can move forward.  But as the theme for your conference says, it is time for change and that time is now.  I want you to grasp this opportunity and take responsibility for it yourselves.  I want you to be imaginative, creative and driven by what is right for your tenants, even if that causes you some personal pain.

I want to see this leaner movement develop more capacity and in-house expertise.  You must work more collaboratively in terms of Procurement. The Procurement Groups must continue to develop and be able to provide a complete one stop shop for their members not just in development, but right across the full spectrum of goods and services that Housing Associations need.

It is not just Housing Associations however who are being challenged to step up to the plate.  Delegates will be aware that my Department has already taken forward a significant piece of work on the future of the Housing Executive.  I have not yet taken a view about the outcome of that work, but the case for change is already clear and the do nothing option is in effect, not an option.

I plan to make an announcement on the way forward for the Housing Executive by Christmas and it is clear this announcement will be of significant interest to Housing Associations. Having completed that work and announced a way forward, I will then look more closely at the Housing Association movement so time is not on your side to shape your future.

I have already received the views of your own Federation on the future role of the Housing Executive.  I can assure you those views, alongside the others that have been made, will be given serious consideration.

However if your Federation wants to continue to be taken seriously in terms of the value it adds to such debates, then it must also recognise the need for change.  Just as I support a leaner, more fit for purpose movement, the case is equally the same for a voice that can represent your interests, not just in Government but perhaps more importantly to the media and those outside this Conference who are perhaps less supportive.  There have been many success stories for Federation members in recent years.  Yet lately all we seem to hear are negative stories of homes built without planning permission or the failure of some of your members to meet their regulatory obligations.

A strong Federation can be an asset not just for its members but also for me as Minister.  Making the case for housing can be a difficult and at times lonely job particularly when faced with pressures in other areas of Government such as Health and Education.  I can see a role for a strong and vibrant Federation that can give leadership and provide inspiration to Housing Associations who lose their way or which need support to address any issues arising from Inspection.  In looking forward to a leaner, more fit for purpose movement, you must not lose sight of the need for a similar level of representation for that movement.

Mr Chairman, you have a challenging agenda to complete this afternoon and I have no wish to delay you from moving on with it any longer.

I see you have the Director and Deputy Director of Housing from my Department with you and I am more than happy for them to address any issues arising from my remarks here this afternoon and perhaps elaborate on the key drivers for change.

This time last year I was responsible for Museums, Sport and Fishing.  This year it is Housing, Urban Regeneration and Welfare Reform.  Change is inevitable.  It is not something we should fear, nor should we seek to avoid it just because it challenges us professionally or personally.

Once again Mr Chairman, my thanks for inviting me here today and I wish you and Conference Delegates the best for the remainder of your event.