Communities Minister launches consultation on Decent Homes Standard for social homes
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons today launched a consultation on the Decent Homes Standard to improve the quality, safety and sustainability of social homes.
Outlining the first review of the Decent Homes Standard in two decades the Minister said:
“I am committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of families and individuals living in social homes across Northern Ireland. This review will update the housing standard to meet the needs of modern living.
“The consultation sets out a range of proposals to improve the condition, energy efficiency, affordability and safety of homes. I encourage everyone with an interest in social housing, including tenants, landlords and representative groups, to share their views and help shape the future of homes across Northern Ireland.”
The Decent Homes Standard applies to the improvement, maintenance and repair of existing social homes by the Housing Executive and registered Housing Associations.
The key principles for the Decent Home Standard review include improving the condition of social homes, focusing on tenant wellbeing and comfort, as well as considering energy efficiency and the path to net zero. The review will also seek views on delivering homes better suited to modern living.
Updated standards will contribute to strategic objectives on good quality, warm, affordable and sustainable homes as set out in the Executive’s Housing Supply Strategy and the forthcoming strategy on fuel poverty.
The consultation is open to the public with responses from social housing tenants, social lhttp://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-revised-decent-homes-standard-department-communitiesandlords and sectoral bodies particularly welcomed.
The consultation is open now and run until 4 March 2026. To read more and respond to the consultation, visit: Communities Consultations
Notes to editors:
- The standard is regulated through the Department’s oversight of the Housing Executive and its Regulatory Framework for Housing Associations.
- There are approximately 124,300 social homes in Northern Ireland (August 2025).
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