Delivering more social housing a priority – Hargey

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has today reiterated her commitment to delivering more social homes to the areas where they are needed most.

Delivering more social housing a priority – Hargey

The Minister was visiting a new social housing site at Glenmona, West Belfast, where 653 homes (549 social and 104 Affordable) will be built to meet demand in the area.  It is one of the largest housing development projects anywhere in the north in recent years.

Minister Hargey said:

“Delivering more social housing to areas most in need is central to my programme of housing reform.  The 653 homes which will be constructed here in Glenmona, will add to the many currently under construction to meet the needs of our society and help reduce housing stress.

 

“In addition to the increased new build budget of £162million I secured for this year, I have approved up to £15million in additional support available to Housing Associations who are working with the construction sector to build new homes. This is to take account of the unprecedented upsurge in material costs so there is no adverse effect on the number of new social homes delivered this year.”

The Minister continued:

“The new build programme is a massive injection of capital to address housing stress now and in the future.  The investment I have directed to the social housing development programme represents 64% of my entire capital budget.  That very much reinforces my commitment to addressing the needs of our society, the fundamental right to a home.

 

“The new homes being delivered right across our society will be life-changing to the people, children and families who are in housing stress.  In order to deliver more homes for those who need them, we need a whole system approach.  Through my reform programme, the revitalisation of the Housing Executive will be central to investing in existing homes, contributing to the supply of social housing and reducing housing stress, to achieve my vision that every household has access to a good quality, affordable and sustainable home that is appropriate to its needs.”

The £140million scheme has been supported by £47.1million Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and over £92.7million private finance investment by Apex and will include a number of other community and workspace facilities.

Delivering more homes to where they are needed most is a key aspect of the Minister’s reform agenda.  The new build programme is delivering housing right across the north, with Minister Hargey reporting earlier this year the highest annual figure of new social starts for over a decade.

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption - Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has reiterated her commitment to delivering more social homes to the areas where they are needed most as she visited a new social housing site at Glenmona, West Belfast, where 653 homes (549 social and 104 Affordable) will be built to meet demand in the area.  It is one of the largest housing development projects here in recent years.  The Minister is pictured with the Chief Executive of Apex Housing, Sheena McCallion and Ryan Boyle, Director with Braidwater Group.
2. As well as housing on the Glenmona site, there will also be two replacement residential care homes; a mixed use area including a local neighbourhood retail centre with shop units;a hotel, an employment zone to include a mix of six Class B1a offices, a community building, MUGA pitch and play area; internal road networks; pedestrian and cycle ways; public open space and a children’s play area.
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