The number of new homes being registered in Northern fell by 16% in the second quarter of this year, compared with the same period in 2023, an industry body says.
Some 533 new homes were registered to be built in April to June, down from 637 in 2023, according to the National House Building Council (NHBC), which has a 70%-80% share of the UK warranty market.
And barring the quirk that was quarter two in 2020, when the pandemic hit, the Northern Ireland figure is the lowest in more than a decade since the Q2 total of 454 in 2012.
The figures indicate the stock of new properties in the pipeline because homes are registered with the NHBC before being built, and in the UK as a whole, the yearly drop in quarter two was more marked than in Northern Ireland at 23%.
Labour made housebuilding a key part of its policy plans in the run-up to the general election.
In the King’s Speech, the Government said the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will reform the system to help meet the goal of building 1.5 million more homes over the course of the Parliament - deciding “how, not if” properties are built.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “We know we have a mountain to climb. That is why we’re already taking the first steps, starting with an overhaul of our planning system - a reform that will both help build the homes we need and speed up the infrastructure to support them.
“We are committed not just to an ambitious target for overall housebuilding but the biggest wave of social and affordable housing for a generation. It’s a promise that we’ll bring back with meaningful housing targets.”
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NHBC chief executive Steve Wood said: “We welcome the new Government’s policy to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, even if our new-build registration numbers show there is a mountain to climb.
He said scaling up will “take time” but encouragement can be taken from the Government’s announcements.
Mr Wood added: “More must be done to close the national skills gap.
“With an ageing workforce, a lack of skilled workers could seriously slow down Labour’s plans.”
He continued: “Meeting the Government’s housing goals will require significant changes, commitment and investment across industry. At NHBC we will be seeking to ensure new homes are built to the quality owners and occupiers should expect, and that this is maintained during any period of growth.
“This will pay dividends in the long term for the industry, for local communities and for home occupiers.”