Housing Executive under scrutiny
A close analysis of the Housing Executive is under way as a governance audit and a wider review of its work take place.
The Housing Executive has come under intense scrutiny after the launch of two separate inquiries into its conduct and future shape.
Alex Attwood announced a fundamental review of the Housing Executive in an Assembly statement on 11 October. The review will report in March.
This is the first major review of the organisation since its establishment in 1971. By the public sector’s standards, it is a large body, with 3,242 staff, over 90,000 tenants and a budget over £740 million.
Addressing the House, Attwood highlighted the Housing Executive’s past achievements but said the review was necessary to ensure it is fit to discharge its responsibilities for the next two decades and further ahead.
Three phases were outlined:
1. A “broad examination” of the organisation’s current business, including its functions as the province’s strategic housing authority and social housing landlord;
2. External consultants will then look at high-level options for future service delivery, resulting in a proposed model going out for consultation with stakeholders;
3. Development of a “robust” implementation plan.
Attwood emphasised that the state should provide social and affordable housing, a concept questioned by the DUP’s Simon Hamilton who saw room for alternative funding models.
Hamilton’s party colleague, Alex Easton, asked the Minister to consider the possible release of Housing Executive assets to raise funds for new housing and maintenance schemes. Attwood said he was “extremely vigilant” about disposing of assets and had only authorised it once before, where there was unanimous local support. This involved transferring 60 houses to a housing association.
This announcement followed the start of a governance audit into the organisation on 4 October, which is expected to report in November. The audit is being conducted by civil servants from DSD and other departments, and assisted by an external advisor.
It will also report on whether the seven principles of public life are being “implemented effectively” throughout the Housing Executive i.e. selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
The BBC uncovered a dispute between the Housing Executive and contractor Red Sky, lasting from 2007 onwards. Red Sky, it was claimed, had been paid for poor or incomplete work despite Housing Executive staff refusing to sign off on it. Red Sky has denied the allegations.
This internal investigation is focusing on whether the correct structures are in place and whether the Housing Executive board has the available information to identify and manage risk, prevent and detect fraud and hold senior managers to account.
At the Housing Executive’s request, the PSNI is also investigating developer Barry Gilligan’s involvement in a land deal on Nelson Street in North Belfast. Gilligan, who also chairs the Policing Board, denies any wrongdoing.
The Minister told MLAs that police and internal investigations “must be allowed to be completed, and due process must not be compromised.” Paddy McIntyre announced his retirement as the Housing Executive’s Chief Executive on
29 September but has said that this decision was unconnected to any investigations.
“I have confidence in the Housing Executive but that does not give it a licence,” Attwood remarked. He confirmed that three police investigations were ongoing and understood that five internal investigations were also taking place.
