Coleraine area benefits from social housing projects

Mervyn Storey MLA, Minister for Social Development, recently announced that housing associations have exceeded the delivery targets set by the NI Executive through the Programme for Government.

Supported by close to £570m investment from the Department for Social Development, and working with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, housing associations have exceeded delivery targets by 20 percent.

In the four years since 2011/12 6,101 new social homes have been delivered and 3,965 affordable homes provided through Co-ownership.

More than £300m of private finance has been secured by housing associations to make government grant go further and provide just over 10,000 new social and affordable homes.

In the last year alone 95 social and affordable homes have been delivered in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

These include the 22 new houses on Society Street, Coleraine, built by Fold Housing Association, and 17 houses on Hass Road, Dungiven, built by Apex Housing Association.

Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Cameron Watt Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Local housing associations have a strong track record of delivering social and affordable housing for Northern Ireland.

“I am delighted that with partners our members have not only met the 2014/15 targets but also exceeded pledges from the NI Executive to provide 6,000 new social homes and 2,000 affordable homes over four years.

“The 2014/15 targets required housing associations to increase by nearly 60% from the previous year the number of new homes started. In achieving this target our sector has demonstrated our commitment to fulfilling a growing role in meeting housing need.

“Of course huge challenges remain. However working closely with partners in government and the Housing Executive, housing associations can continue to deliver many more great homes and help build thriving communities.”

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Ray Forbes, Director of Development and Procurement, Apex Housing Association, said: “Apex is delighted to have played its part in helping the Department and the Housing Executive meet their Programme for Government targets. New build social housing makes a significant financial contribution to the construction industry in Northern Ireland.”