Social homes boost for MEA area

(L-R) Cameron Watt, Chief Executive of NIFHA, with the Chairman of the Housing Executive Donald Hoodless, and Minister Mervyn Storey, announcing the development figures. (Submitted Picture).

In the last two years alone, 65 social and affordable homes have been delivered in Mid and East Antrim.

These include 32 new houses on the Shore Road, Greenisland, and 13 houses at Drumalla Park, Carnlough, both built by OakleeTrinity.

Social Development (DSD) Minister Mervyn Storey also 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 DSD and working with the NI Housing Executive, housing associations have exceeded delivery targets by 20%.

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

Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Cameron Watt Chief Executive of the NI Federation of Housing Associations, said: “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.”