The Housing Executive met Newry Mourne and Down District Council this week for an update on the housing body’s plans for the next four years and to report on last year’s investment.
The Housing Executive is due to make a significant investment during 2016/17 in the area to support the delivery of new homes.
£17.09 million will also be invested in upgrading and maintaining its properties, supporting people to live independently, increasing the energy efficiency of homes and providing grant aid in the private sector.
Through its landlord and regional services last year the Housing Executive invested £23.60 million in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, this includes grant aid to Housing Associations for the building of new houses to rent.
The Housing Executive gave a presentation on its Housing Investment Plan (HIP) to local Councillors, 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 channelled some £81million 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 to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Gerry Flynn, the Housing Executive’s Director of Landlord Services, said: “Our Housing Investment Plan was informed by a range of stakeholders and developed as a comprehensive conversation piece for the whole housing sector in Northern Ireland.
“The Housing Executive works hard to maintain a good working relationship with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and it is important this continues.
“As the strategic housing authority for Northern Ireland we have prepared this plan to inform the community planning partnership on the state of the housing market, on housing needs, the policy priorities and public sector investment proposals for 2015-19.
“Lots of work needs to be done to meet housing need, improve housing stock and provide support for the most vulnerable in our community – we will continue to play our part to ensure this work is delivered efficiently and effectively.”
Maintaining its housing stock is a priority for the Housing Executive and this year in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area the organisation will spend £7.27 million on planned and response maintenance to its homes.
This will include outside maintenance work to 701 homes, new kitchens in 407 homes. In addition, heating upgrading works will be completed to a further 208 homes.
In the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, the Housing Executive will also support those tenants who need help to live independently in their homes through the provision of adaptations.
Last year it spent £777,000 on both major and minor works helping people live more comfortably in their homes.
During 2016/19, in partnership with housing associations, around 476 new homes are planned across the area.
The Housing Executive endeavours to support the most vulnerable members of society through its Supporting People Programme.
In 2016/17 the Housing Executive will invest over £6.55million for housing support services.
The Housing Executive currently funds 57 sheltered and supported housing schemes in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area as well as 6 floating support services.
The Housing Executive continues to contribute to the private sector through a variety of grants to help adapt homes to support people living in their own home for longer.
Last year it approved 94 disabled facilities grants and a small number of repair and renovation grants totalling £428k.
Speaking at the presentation in the Council chamber, the Housing Executive’s South Down Area Manager, Loma Wilson, said: “Our Newry, Mourne and Down teams provide a high quality, dedicated housing service to the area.
“Working alongside our Customer Services Unit, Accounts and Housing Benefit teams, we provide our tenants and the wider community with an effective and efficient service.
“We are committed to investing in the Newry, Mourne and Down area to improve the lives of people in our community.
“My thanks are extended to the Councillors and officers of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for their support for the Housing Executive – we look forward to continuing to work with them on matters of mutual interest over the coming year.”
