To ask the Minister for Communities (i) to outline her commitment to shared housing and shared neighbourhoods; and (ii) whether she will ensure that all strategic housing plans will meet the Executive’s agreed commitment to the Good Relations Strategy.

Shared Housing is an important part of the overall housing programme which my Department is committed to delivering. Fresh Start Funding of £16.9m has been invested in the Shared Housing programme in 20/21 and the programme has recently expanded taking the total number of Shared Neighbourhoods either currently being delivered or under development to forty nine. My Department has doubled its target for 20/21 from 200 shared units to 400. It is anticipated that this growth will continue in response to public appetite for shared neighbourhoods subject to the continued availability of funding which facilitates investment in Good Relations delivery.

I can confirm that my strategic housing plans will have regard to the Executive’s agreed commitment to the Good Relations Strategy.