Cuts will hit Lisburn housing plans warns HE boss

THE Housing Executive's Chief Executive has told Lisburn Council's Planning Committee the recession and the fall in the sale of Housing Executive homes has had a significant impact on funding. And he warned them things are going to get even tougher when the cuts in public spending come into effect later in the year.

Mr Paddy McIntyre said that faced with this the priority is to direct resources towards housing for vulnerable people and those without a home of their own.

And he warned: "We already know from the recent budget announcement that the new coalition Government plans to make substantial and unprecedented savings. We have been warned that these cuts will affect everyone in the United Kingdom and will have 'enormous implications'.

"Following on from this the Northern Ireland Executive will therefore have no option but to make some very difficult and painful decisions. We will continue to make the case for continued investment in housing but at the same time be realistic in our expectations and what we can hope to deliver."

Mr McIntyre explained the Housing Executive wants to protect the level of investment in housing in Lisburn to date and to secure funding to improve homes which are not up to standard.

He said: "We know that Lisburn Councillors and their constituents are impatient for more and better housing, new bathrooms, new kitchens and new windows. Our responsibility is to meet housing need, to deliver high quality housing services and to rise to the highest standards of public service. We need to ensure that those most at risk in our society are supported and we are channelling our resources to deliver the best results possible. But as a public body we must live within our means."

He told the Committee members: "Housing in Lisburn is not just about physical 'bricks and mortar' issues. We are committed to providing quality housing services and working with others to create safe and confident communities. We want to make sure that Lisburn housing makes its full contribution to improving the quality of life for Lisburn people."

Stephen Graham, the South East Area Manager, revealed that the Housing Executive's investment in Lisburn for the coming year will be 9.34m as against the District actual spend for 2009/2010 of 12.865 million.

He broke down the allocation across the key activity areas for committee members. Following the report Committee members were invited to raise issues with the Chief Executive. This included Alderman Ivan Davis who asked how much was being paid out in housing benefit in the Lisburn area. Mr Graham said he would supply Mr Davis with the information.