Vow to fight for social housing

The Housing Executive’s strategy is to work together to get results, Ian McCrickard, Area Manager told Craigavon councillors when he met them at the recent monthly meeting to discuss their District Housing Plan.

He said: “We all know how the recession has affected the housing market and the fall in the sale of Housing Executive homes has had a significant impact on our funding.

"Faced with this, the priority is to direct resources towards housing for vulnerable people and those without a home of their own. Last year we recorded 1,838 new social housing starts throughout Northern Ireland; the highest number in over a decade. It is an encouraging start but it is only the beginning.

“Government plans require us to make substantial and unprecedented savings, which will impact on all aspects of our business as well as our resources. The compelling challenge for the Housing Executive is to work with our colleagues in the DSD to secure a sound financial footing for housing funding. However, at the same time, we must be realistic in our expectations and what we can hope to deliver."

Last year the Housing Executive spent over 3.8 million on improvements and planned maintenance to Housing Executive homes in Craigavon and invested 2.3 million to assist vulnerable people through the Supporting People programme.

There are currently 30 supported housing accommodation-based schemes in the area and three floating support providers. The executive has provided over 2.9 million in grant aid to improve housing conditions in the private sector, invested 956,000 to adapt 122 Housing Executive homes in the area and worked with 30 community groups in the area.

Outlining the Housing Executive’s agenda for Craigavon for the current year Mr McCrickard said the highest projected housing need is in the north Lurgan area.

He said: "Unfortunately five of the schemes programmed for Craigavon over the next three years - totalling 64 units - will not proceed, as they have not proved viable at present. However, other marker schemes have been identified to address those areas where there is housing need.”

In Craigavon the number of homeless people has decreased from 366 in March 2008 to 288 in March 2010.

"The Housing Executive will continue to work hard to provide services to support those faced with homelessness in Craigavon," said Mr McCrickard. "In Craigavon the Housing Executive has increased the supply and quality of its temporary accommodation. We have also produced an information guide for those people living in rural areas who are faced with homelessness.”

He continued: “Despite pressures on funding the Housing Executive continues to provide its day-to-day maintenance service. Housing Executive tenants in Craigavon will see this service protected in line with their conditions of tenancy.

"During the current year work is planned to replace the working kitchens in 76 Housing Executive properties in the Killicomaine area and 108 properties in Brownstown, Kilwilkie Road and Taghnevan Close. Heating systems will also be replaced in 168 homes in Portadown as well as properties in Wellington Street, Lurgan. External planned maintenance which will include window replacement works for Parkmore, Manor Park and Drive bungalows and Taghnevan flats will also commence during the current year.”