To ask the Minister for Communities to outline any actions his Department is taking to expand the availability of accessible and appropriate housing for people with disabilities, in light of the shortfall in suitable provision.

The Executive Housing Supply Strategy, developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders including disability organisations, highlights the need for more affordable and accessible homes that meet a diverse range of needs.

My Department is working with Executive colleagues and the Housing Executive to develop the first Strategy Action Plan focused on practical, deliverable solutions to such issues.

Alongside this, in the delivery of the Social Housing Development Programme, all new build social homes are currently built to ‘Lifetime Homes Standards’, ensuring that homes can be easily adapted to meet the changing needs of tenants.

Housing Associations are also asked to include wheelchair accessible units within all development proposals.

My Department also provides funding, administered by the Housing Executive, for Disabled Facilities Grants to adapt the home of a disabled person who is living in the private sector. We are working with the Department of Health and the Housing Executive on a review of these grants to identify ways to improve this service.

We also fund the Supporting People Programme, which provides housing-related support that helps people, including those with disabilities, to live on their own. This year, I allocated an additional £1 million for pipeline schemes in 2025/26 to fund new and extended Supporting People services.

I have just given my approval for the Housing Executive to launch a public consultation on proposed amendments to the House Sales Scheme. This will include exclusion of adapted or accessible dwellings which have undergone major adaptations from the Scheme so this accommodation remains available for people with disabilities.