Rathlin Island celebrates 10 new social homes in major boost for island’s future
(L-R): Heloise Brown, Department For Communities, Sandra Hunter, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, new tenant Ruari Morgan, Chief Executive of Rural Housing Association, Stephen Fisher, Chair of Rural Housing Association, Tom Potter, and Pamela Johnston, Northern Ireland Housing Executive Rural Unit.
(All photos: Declan Roughan / Press Eye)
Saturday 26 September 2026
Ten new social homes have officially opened on Rathlin Island, delivering a significant boost for a community of around 150 people and giving more families the opportunity to remain, return and build their future on the island.
The Church Bay development is Rathlin’s first new social housing scheme in more than a decade, with all 10 homes now occupied following years of work to address an identified shortage of suitable affordable housing. The previous development of 10 social homes opened in 2013.
A decade in the making
The latest homes have been delivered by Rural Housing Association in partnership with the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, with the scheme part-funded by the Department and Danske Bank.
Their development followed a rural housing needs assessment carried out in 2016 by the Housing Executive, Rural Housing Association and Rathlin Development and Community Association, which identified demand for additional social housing.
The 10-home scheme includes a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, including wheelchair-accessible properties, alongside three-bedroom family homes.
Homes that could help sustain island life
Pictured at the official launch of the new Rathlin Island development is new tenant Ruari Morgan, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Sandra Hunter, and Chief Executive of Rural Housing Association, Stephen Fisher
On an island with a population of approximately 150, the addition of 10 homes is proportionately significant. Affordable housing can enable people with connections to Rathlin to remain there, return to the island or take up local employment rather than being forced elsewhere by a lack of suitable accommodation.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:
“Today marks a significant milestone for Rathlin Island and reflects years of partnership, planning and investment to deliver much-needed social homes in this beautiful location.
“This new development is about much more than the fabric of a home. It is about providing people and families with the opportunity to create a home and build their future on the island. I commend Rural Housing Association for bringing forward such a challenging build in this island setting, and the local community for its continued engagement. By enabling more people to put down roots here, these new homes will strengthen the community, support the sustainability of island life and, importantly, deliver for people in housing need.”
McShane welcomes long-awaited development
Local councillors Bill Kennedy, Cara McShane, Margaret Anne McKillop, join Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Sandra Hunter, and other representatives for the launch of Rathin’s newest housing development.
Sinn Féin councillor for the Glens, Cara McShane, described the completion of the Church Bay development as a historic moment for Rathlin and highlighted the role played by the local community in bringing the project forward.
“It is absolutely fantastic to see these 10 new social homes on Rathlin Island, right at the harbour in Church Bay.
“This rural housing scheme has been in the pipeline for many years, so it is brilliant to finally see it come to fruition and all 10 homes now occupied.
“Investment like this is hugely important for the vibrancy and long-term sustainability of Rathlin, helping to ensure the island continues to thrive and receives the recognition and investment it deserves from central and local government and other partners.
“Rathlin is the only inhabited offshore island in the north of Ireland, and we are incredibly proud to have it here within Causeway Coast and Glens.
“The Rathlin Development and Community Association has been heavily involved in this project, and I want to recognise the work that has gone into getting us to this point.
“Most importantly, I wish all those moving into their new homes every health and happiness for the years ahead.
“This has certainly been a historic day for Rathlin, and it has been wonderful to be a part of it.”
Burrows says 10 homes are significant for Rathlin
North Antrim MLA and Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows also welcomed the opening, saying the development demonstrated the importance of responding to the particular housing needs of island communities. Burrows is a North Antrim MLA, and Assembly records show he has raised housing matters affecting the constituency during 2026.
“Today is a very positive day for Rathlin and particularly for the families who will make these new houses their homes.
“This development has been a long time coming and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes over many years to get us to this point.
“Housing is absolutely vital if we want communities like Rathlin to have a sustainable future. Young people and families need to be able to put down roots, remain close to family and build their lives in the community they call home.
“Rathlin is a unique place and brings with it challenges that simply aren’t faced by communities on the mainland. That makes it all the more important that government and housing providers listen to local people and respond to the particular needs of island communities.
“I want to recognise the work of Rural Housing Association, the Housing Executive, Rathlin Development and Community Association and everyone else who has played a part in bringing these homes forward.
“This is a good example of what can be achieved when a need is identified locally and organisations work together to actually deliver something.”
The Ulster Unionist Party was represented at the official opening by Ballymoney DEA representative Gary Simpson and Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Sandra Hunter.
Burrows added:
“I know Gary and Sandra were delighted to be on Rathlin today representing the Ulster Unionist Party and meeting some of those involved in the development.
“Ten new homes might not sound like a huge development in other parts of Northern Ireland, but on Rathlin it is significant. These homes are about much more than bricks and mortar – they are about giving people the opportunity to stay on the island and helping sustain this community for another generation.
“I wish every family moving into their new home many happy years ahead.”
Community helped shape the project
North Antrim MP Jim Allister joins Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Sandra Hunter, and other representatives for the launch of Rathin’s newest housing development.
Carita Coulter, Head of North Place Shaping (A) at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, said the development had been a collaborative effort stretching from the identification of housing need through to delivery.
“We are proud to have played a key role in delivering these much-needed homes for Rathlin Island. From identifying the need for additional social housing through the 2016 housing needs assessment, to working alongside our partners to bring the development forward, this has been a truly collaborative effort.”
Rural Housing Chief Executive Stephen Fisher said:
“It has been wonderful to celebrate the official opening of our new development with residents, the local community and all the partners who helped make this development possible.
“Rathlin Island is a truly special place, with a strong and close-knit community. These new homes will give more people with a connection to the island the opportunity to build their lives here, helping to sustain its population and support a thriving community for generations to come.”
A meaningful contribution to Rathlin’s future
Chair of Rathlin Community Development Association Marina McMullan said affordable housing was essential if people were to have a realistic opportunity to remain on Rathlin or return to the island.
“The opening of these homes is a hugely positive moment for Rathlin. Access to affordable housing is essential if people are to remain on the island, return to live here or take up local employment.
“This development responds to a need identified by the community and will make a meaningful contribution to Rathlin’s future. We are delighted to welcome the new residents and celebrate this milestone together.”
The opening comes 13 years after the previous 10-home social housing scheme on Rathlin was completed in 2013. Those homes had themselves been the island’s first new social housing in almost two decades.
For a community of Rathlin’s size, the latest development represents considerably more than 10 additional properties. With every home now occupied, a housing need formally identified in 2016 has finally translated into new households with the opportunity to put down roots and contribute to the island’s future.
