Ministers and MP pay a visit to Ballantine Retirement Cottage

Together with the Chair, Sid McDowell, Chief Executive, Alan Crowe, and Operations Director David McCallum of the NI Co-Ownership Housing Association, and hosted by David Law of WJ Law, the Ministers viewed the flagship WJ Law development.

At Ballantine Garden Village the group views the first Retirement Cottage with interest, as well as taking time to look at other housing in the development.

Much of the emphasis at Ballantine is aimed at providing housing for the elderly, where increasing care needs in later life can be best provided in the home.

The idea of releasing equity to pay for care needs through Co-Ownership is being explored, allowing the elderly to have choice, as well as better preserving the Social Services budget for more acute needs.

At Ballantine houses are being built which are suitable to live in today when the owners are 45 and still when the owners are 105.

Commenting following the visit David Law said: “We are delighted the Ministers recognise the needs of the elderly, and are engaging with how to help such a valued section of our society in the future.”