Housing Matters – clear message to NI Executive following consultation event

There was support for the inclusion of a housing outcome in the Programme for Government among delegates at a recent event, jointly hosted by Housing Rights, Council for the Homeless, NIFHA and CIH.

The “Housing Matters” event was held on 5 July.  Representatives from across the housing sector were joined by colleagues in health, those working with children and political representatives. During the discussion element of the event, the clear message from participants was that improvements need to be made to the draft framework, to ensure the importance of housing is reflected. Delegates unanimously supported the inclusion of a housing outcome in the Programme for Government.

‘Housing Matters’ was hosted jointly by Housing Rights, Council for the Homeless, NIFHA and CIH and focussed on the importance of housing in government’s plans for the next five years.

The draft Programme for Government framework

The event heard from John Bradley, a representative from the Programme for Government team who outlined the new focus by government on developing plans that focus on ‘outcomes’. The draft Programme for Government framework lists 14 strategic outcomes that describe the type of society the plan is trying to achieve.

The draft framework also includes 42 ‘indicators’, which show the specific changes government wants to bring about, as well as ‘measures’ which aim to provide information on whether the government plans are succeeding.

Download PFG Team PowerPoint presentation

Measuring Outcomes

Participants also heard from Aongus O’Keefe, Programme Leader with Inspiring Impact, an organisation that works with the charity sector on impact measurement. Mr O’Keefe explained the approach being used by government in the draft Programme for Government framework and discussed some of the issues that could arise during its implementation.

Download Inspiring Impact PowerPoint presentation

Roundtable Discussion

The most substantive part of the day allowed participants to share their views on the outcomes approach, the current content of the framework in relation to housing and the potential improvements which could be made to ensure government recognises the place housing plays in our society.

Delegates were asked to consider four key questions.

1. What do you think of the outcomes based approach and its use in the draft Programme for Government?
2. Should the Programme for Government have a housing outcome?
3. What do you think of the proposed housing indicator /measure?
4.  What other indicators/measures would be suitable for housing?

Download a summary of the group discussion.

The consultation on the draft Programme for Government Framework closes on 22nd July 2016.