Housing boss promises£8.9m spend

Nelson McCausland, minister for Social Development at Drumellan Children and Young Peoples Centre with, Comghal McQuillan, south Area manager NIHE, Bernie Burns, project development officer, Michelle Furphy, child care team leader and Mayor, Councillor Mark Baxter. INLM07-108gc

“We have a strong agenda for Craigavon. During 2014/15, we will support the delivery of new social housing as well as investing £8.9million upgrading and maintaining tenants’ homes, supporting people to live independently, increasing the energy efficiency of homes and providing grant aid in the private sector.”

“Maintaining our stock is a priority for the Housing Executive and this year we will be spending over £6million on planned and response maintenance to Housing Executive homes. This will include outside maintenance work to 204 homes, new heating in 315 homes, kitchens in 289 homes, and the installation of double glazing in 398 homes.

“We will also support those tenants who need help to live independently in their homes through the provision of adaptations. Last year we spent £328,000 on both major and minor works helping people live more comfortably in their homes.”

“As part of the Housing Executive’s Community Involvement Strategy a Tenant Scrutiny Panel for the South area was established. This panel scrutinises the services they feel are most important to tenants in the local area and will undertake some valuable work reviewing and improving housing services for local people. The Housing Executive’s BRIC Programme and Shared Communities Programme remained important contributors to the local community.”

Mr McQuillan said: “Through our Regional Services we will help meet social housing need through support to the social development programme. During 2014/15 we aim to start 32 new units of accommodation in three schemes. Last year 29 new homes were completed and 40 went onsite.

“We support the most vulnerable through the Supporting People Programme with £2.33million for housing support services for 2014/15. We currently fund 31 sheltered and supported housing schemes in the Craigavon District as well as one floating support service.

“In addition we will provide assistance to help adapt homes in the private sector. Last year we approved 52 disabled facilities grants, 63 repair grants and a small number of discretionary grants with a value of over £600,000. We will also support improvement and repairs in the private sector through the provision of £467,000 in grant aid and energy efficiency initiatives in the private sector through the new Affordable Warmth scheme and the Boiler Replacement scheme.”

Mr McQuillan concluded: “Our local team continues to provide a dedicated housing service to the Craigavon District 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.”