Ms Maria Graham:

To ensure there is not competition, an affordable housing group sits with the Housing Agency, local authorities, the housing delivery office and the Land Development Agency, LDA, to ensure that all of the programmes work in tandem to give an overall increase in supply, there is a sequence to how things are done and there is not a competition. The matter relating to towns is dealing with vacant properties. There are two different gaps in the market. There is not a choice of private accommodation or homes, particularly in smaller towns. Sites could be made available in proximity to towns. There is clearly a large level of vacancy and dereliction in towns. The data shows larger, more significant proportions of those on the western seaboard. Many towns have suffered significantly from that. Other contributors talked about the vibrancy of towns and the importance of a mix of development. This is a grant that would work similarly to adaptation grants and other grants that local authorities have. It would be funding that would be in the hands of local authorities. That way, it increases overall supply. It is in addition to the programmes that provide renewal and the programmes with AHBs.