'Rising level of housing demand and homelessness' in Mid and East Antrim
A “rising level of housing demand and homelessness” was outlined by a Housing Executive director at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee.
Jennifer Hawthorne, director for housing services, said: “Challenges within the housing sector remain significant, especially with regards to improving existing homes, meeting the demand for new homes and for temporary accommodation.”
Housing Executive investment in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area amounted to £24.12m during the 2025/26 financial year.
The director noted 167 housing association new-build units on-site at the end of March 2026, Of these, 161 homes were completed. A further 265 are planned during the next three years.
The Housing Executive says Mid and East Antrim “continues to experience increasing housing pressures driven by population growth, an ageing population, smaller household sizes and affordability”.
In March, there were 3,380 applicants on the social housing waiting list in the borough. Of these, 2,553 were in urban areas and 827 in rural areas. There were 2,596 households in housing stress.
There were 574 allocations during the last financial year. Of these, 277 were by the Housing Executive and 297 by housing associations with 460 in urban areas and 114 in rural areas.
The sum of £2.5m was spent on provision of temporary accommodation during 2025/26. Of the 1,422 people presented as homeless during 2025/26 across the borough, 1,111 were accepted for support.
The sum of £4.65m was spent on planned maintenance and £9m on response maintenance. Overall, £1m was spent on adaptations for persons with a disability. This figure is expected to double during 2026/27.
The Housing Executive carried out the installation of new heating in 421 homes, 432 double glazing installations, bathroom and kitchen rewiring in eight homes, 10 properties received replacement bathrooms and 213 doors were fitted.
A total of 130 homes in the private sector in the borough availed of the ‘Affordable Warmth’ scheme enabling energy efficiency improvements at a cost of £0.57m.
The Housing Executive owns 5,595 properties in Mid and East Antrim, including 1,800 in Ballymena of which 260 are bungalows; 536, flats; 15, maisonettes and 989, houses. In Carrickfergus, the Housing Executive owns 318 bungalows; 316 flats; three maisonettes and 615 houses. In Larne, it owns 123 bungalows; 400 flats; 20 maisonettes and 455 houses.
The housing body sold 17 properties in the borough during the last financial year. Tenants paid £26.1m rent.
The projected five-year social housing need up to 2030 is 1,323 homes, with 1,005 in urban areas and 318 in rural areas. The greatest need is identified in the towns of Ballymena 394 units; Carrickfergus,369; Larne, 201 units; Whitehead, 40; Ahoghill, 33; Broughshane, 83; Kells, 18; Carnlough, 31; Ballycarry, six; Portglenone, 30; Clough, three; Craigywarren, one; Cullybackey, 28; Glenarm, 11; Glenoe, one; Glenravel, 15; Glynn, five; Greenisland, 38 Islandmagee, 10; Magheramorne, one; Millbrook, three; Moorfields/Glenwherry, two.
Commenting on the Housing Investment Plan 2026/28, the Housing Executive’s interim chief executive Catherine McFarland said the challenges facing the housing system are “unlikely to ease in the short-term”.
“However, this plan sets out a clear direction for the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area for the next two years, focused on prevention, supply, quality housing and strong partnerships to help meet those challenges and improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities.”