Social housing for Dungiven?

Paddy McGurk's comments come after Local Limavady District Manager Eddie Doherty announced outline planning permission for the provision of housing at Hass Road in the town. The Housing Executive are now calling for list of interested applicants in all areas of the borough to record their genuine need for social housing. Currently in Dungiven a third of private properties on the market are empty. Mr McGurk, who has worked on a similar scheme in the province in which the RHANI bought private properties for the use of social housing, says depending on the need for housing in Dungiven, a similar scheme in the town could be looked at.

"The association completed a similar scheme in the village of Straw where funding was acquired to buy private properties off the open market for social housing purposes. There was a need in the village for this type of housing but i was small. For Dungiven it would really depend on the types of housing needed. There may be a certain amount of people on the waiting list that needs 2 bedroom houses or a significant number that needs single accommodation. This may not match the open market. But it is certainly something that could be looked at in Dungiven."

SDLP Councillor for the area Michael Coyle says the use of private properties in Dungiven and surrounding areas for social housing would be as welcome as specifically HE built properties.

"First of all it is very welcome that the Housing Executive are looking to house people in Dungiven as there is a great need for housing in the area. The people that I feel are currently most disadvantaged would be young single males.

"There is quite a number of unused premises in the town and surrounding areas that are vacant, either new build or renovated so it would be nice for the Housing Executive to get a mixture of both these and new builds."

The outlined planning permission for the houses on the Hass Road is currently located on HE land. Speaking on the plans Eddie Doherty, Local area manager for Limavady urged anyone with a genuine interest in housing in Dungiven to get in contact.

Mr Doherty said: "We are encouraging those people in housing need who would like to live in Dungiven to register their interest with us now. We are aware that the housing market has changed considerably in recent years and it is important that we have complete and up to date information on the current need before any development takes place."

"In response to earlier press coverage and local community publications, the Housing Executive has already received some expression of interest from new housing applicants. This current exercise will build on work that has already been completed."

"It is therefore essential that anyone in genuine housing need who wants to live in Dungiven contacts the Housing Executive on the phone number detailed – we will then arrange a home visit to assess individual circumstances. If you are already registered on our list for Dungiven then there is no need to reapply. However, if you are registered for another area and also want to be considered for Dungiven then contact us using the number shown below."

Those interested in social housing in Dungiven should register by ringing the Housing Executive on 0344 8920 901 before 19 March 2010.