NIHE to spend £18.7 million in Council area

It was revealed that the Executive is due to make a significant investment during 2016/17 which will support the delivery of new homes as well as the investment of £18.72 million in upgrading and maintaining its properties.

This sum will also go towards supporting people to live independently, increase the energy efficiency of homes and provide grant aid in the private sector.

Through its landlord and regional services last year the Housing Executive invested £32.44m in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, this includes grant aid to Housing Associations for the building of new houses to rent.

Councillors received a presentation on the Housing Investment Plan (HIP), during which it highlighted many of the achievements the organisation has made throughout Northern Ireland in the past year.

Across Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive channeled some £81 million into services to help the most vulnerable which included £8.3 million on homelessness and £73 million through its Supporting People programme.

In addition, there was a large planned maintenance programme with work undertaken at 25,100 homes with a direct investment of £85.3 million in these homes.

Homeowners and private landlords also received considerable support with £12 million spent through grants and over £15 million in tackling fuel poverty.

Speaking at the presentation, Trevor McCartney, the Housing Executive’s Director of Corporate Services said: “There is a lot of work that needs to be done to meet housing need, improve housing stock and provide support for the most vulnerable in our community. We at the Housing Executive will continue to play our part to ensure this work is delivered efficiently, effectively and judiciously.”

This year in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area the organisation will spend £10.8 million on planned and response maintenance to its homes. This will include outside maintenance work to 1,214 homes, new insulation in 126 homes and double glazing in 415 homes.

During 2016/19, in partnership with housing associations, 366 new homes are planned in 28 schemes throughout the borough.

The Executive’s North Regional Manager Frank O’Connor, said: “Our teams in Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Limavady, provide a high quality dedicated housing service to the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area. They work alongside our Customer Services Unit, Accounts and Housing Benefit teams to provide our tenants and the wider community with an effective and efficient service.

“The Housing Executive is committed to investing in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, in order to improve the everyday lives of people in the local community.”