The Housing Executive met Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council this week to update it on its plans for the next 12 months and on the previous year’s investment.
The Housing Executive is due to make a significant investment during 2017/18 in the area to support the delivery of new homes.
A total of £25.75 million will 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 £25.54 million in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; 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 channeled 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 Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Siobhan McCauley, the Housing Executive’s Director of Regional 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 Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough 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 Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, the organisation will spend £13.81 million on planned and response maintenance to its homes.
This will include outside maintenance work to 875 homes and revenue replacements to 603 homes.
To address energy efficiency, double glazing will be installed in 603 homes and heating installation will be carried out in 285 homes.
Capital improvement schemes will also be carried out to a value of £4.99 million.
In the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough 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 £810k on both major and minor works helping people live more comfortably in their homes.
During 2017-20, in partnership with housing associations, around 137 new homes are planned throughout the area.
The Housing Executive endeavours to support the most vulnerable members of society through its Supporting People Programme.
In 2017/18 the Housing Executive will invest around £4.88 million for housing support services.
The Housing Executive currently funds 62 accommodation based services in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area as well as five 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 homes for longer.
Last year it approved 99 disabled facilities grants and a small number of repair grants, renovation grants, replacement grants and home repair assistance grants totalling £1,456k.
Housing Executive Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Area Manager, John McCartan, added: “Our district 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 Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon area to improve the lives of people in our communities.
“My thanks are extended to the councillors and officers of Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough 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.”
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