The NI Housing Executive wants to hear if you want to move to live in Ballyhornan
The NIHE is undertaking an examination of the area’s housing needs. And as part of this work, the NI Housing Executive is hosting an event in partnership with Ballyhornan and District Community Association on:
the 25 January 2017 at the Ballyhornan Family Centre in Ballyhornan.
During the event, there will be a chance to discuss the potential for a new housing development in the area and a chance to find out more about living in social / affordable housing.
Newry Mourne and Down District Councillor Dermot Curran has welcomed the opportunity to improve the layout of Ballyhornan. He said: “This is an opportunity to improve the hamlet of Ballyhornan. At the moment there are issues around the entrance to the village with the location of the farmhouse. I have talked to the farmer concerned to see if he is still interested in being involved in this development. There is a traffic bottle neck there at present and he may move his farm from this site which could eventually allow the road to be re-alligned.
“This will be a great opportunity to clean up the Ballyhornan area and give local development and local tourism a vital boost.
“It may be that the present NIHE Ben Derg housing site is extended which would be useful as all the services are already there. Anyone interested should come along to the meeting when it is called and talk to the NIHE.
“I will also be speaking to the NIHE and I welcome wholeheartedly their suggestion that new homes improving the housing stock could be built at Ballyhornan. It will certainly be a boost to the local infrastructure.
“I know of quite a number of young families locally who would like the opportunity to move into a modern NIHE home.”
For the existing residents of Ballyhornan, the NIHE’s grants team will be on hand to discuss the availability the disabled facilities grant, which will help people to remain in their own homes for longer. The Housing Executive’s grant team will also advise on the availability of the Boiler Replacement and Affordable Warmth schemes which are aimed at improving the energy efficiency of eligible homes.
The NIHE’s South Down Area Manager Owen McDonnell said: “The Housing Executive recognises the growing pressures from rural communities for local, affordable homes, and the need to address increasing levels of unfitness and fuel poverty in rural areas.
“As part of the process to determine housing need in Ballyhornan, we will carry out a latent demand test. Latent demand tests are undertaken to identify any hidden demand for social housing which may exist and to encourage those in housing need to register. This then helps decide where new housing might be required.
“Members of our grant’s team will be present at the event in Ballyhornan to provide advice on existing energy efficiency grants and disability facilities grants available ”.
The Ballyhornan and District Community Association Chairperson Patricia Curran added: “We are pleased the Housing Executive is helping to host this event, showing its commitment to the Ballyhornan area. We would like to encourage anyone with an interest in living or returning to live in Ballyhornan should get in touch with the Housing Executive (03448 920 900) to express an interest and complete a simple housing form.”
Primary school children from St. Mary’s, Dunsford in Ardglass are being encouraged to see their future in the area by taking part in a competition to design their ‘dream home’.
