What Can Be Done About the Housing Crisis in Northern Ireland?

By Karen McShane, Civil Engineer and Transport Planner
Founder, Karen McShane Ltd

The housing crisis is no longer something we can push aside. It’s real, it’s pressing, and it’s affecting people right across Northern Ireland. For many, the dream of owning a home feels out of reach—and unless real action is taken, that dream will continue slipping further away.

Do We Prioritise Water, Transport or Roads—Or All of the Above?

In 2024, Labour’s Angela Rayner announced bold plans for “new towns of the future,” which would be green, sustainable, and fully designed around modern infrastructure. But what does that look like for us here?

In the UK, it’s not just about building more houses. It’s about building smarter towns—with integrated public services, transport links, and sustainable planning that keeps people connected to jobs, services, and opportunity.

Northern Ireland: We Can’t Be Left Behind

Northern Ireland needs to be part of this conversation. We’ve seen housing prices soar, wages stagnate, and a shortage of supply that’s made it near impossible for younger generations to get on the property ladder.

What’s missing? Forward-thinking investment in infrastructure. We must rethink how we design and deliver housing—not just in number, but in how we link it to public transport and employment hubs.

In my recent interview on BBC Radio Ulster, I joined Andy Bole from Slugger O’Toole and others to discuss why Translink is central to this issue. Their new infrastructure, including a 45-minute Enterprise train to Dublin and £300m Belfast Grand Central Station, offers potential—but without better funding and service prioritisation, it won’t go far enough.

Fixing the Puzzle: Housing and Transport Go Hand-in-Hand

Here’s the reality: if you build homes without roads, buses or trains, you build isolation. If people can’t get to work or access services, the whole system fails.

So what can we do?

• Plan with transport in mind: Every new development must be integrated with rail, bus and pedestrian routes.
• Ensure affordability: New towns should be designed to serve people, not push them out of the market.
• Fund infrastructure smartly: We need collaboration across the Department for Infrastructure, Housing and Health.

The Clock Is Ticking

If we want to meet climate goals, ease pressure on housing, and give the next generation a real shot at owning a home—we need to act now.

We can’t keep building the same way and expecting different results.

It’s time to bring people, policy, and planning together. The question is no longer if we’ll solve the housing crisis—but how soon we’re willing to do it.

📩 Want to discuss housing policy, planning, or sustainable transport in NI?
Let’s connect at www.karenmcshane.co.uk