The first sod was cut today (Wednesday) on a new £500,000 social housing scheme at Charlemont, on the border of Counties Armagh and Tyrone.
The new development, being built by OakleeTrinity Housing Association, will provide four new high quality energy efficient homes for local people.
The new scheme will be part funded by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development.
Cutting the first sod at the new development, Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey said: “Rural communities living in small towns, villages and small settlement clusters need housing to sustain a vibrant community life. Without housing, community cohesion can quickly break down.
“Whether it is delivering more and better homes, supporting independent living, building stronger communities or delivering quality services, we need to ensure that the rural community gets an equitable share. These new homes, when complete, will help support these objectives. They will strengthen what is already here and help sustain this community into the future.”
The new social housing is being built on surplus land owned by the Housing Executive in the existing Church View estate, close to shops, places of worship and access to public transport.
The Minister added: “My thanks go to OakleeTrinity for providing these new homes and the Housing Executive for contributing the surplus site. I look forward to returning and viewing the completed scheme and wish all the future residents well in their new homes.”
Timothy Quin, Chairman of OakleeTrinity Housing said: “OakleeTrinity is delighted to support and develop rural communities as well as regenerating the built environment in Northern Ireland. As a recently merged organisation we now have the capacity and expertise to create even more quality housing to help people remain in their local, familiar area while also welcoming new people to meet their housing needs.
“This scheme will make a great contribution to life in Armagh and we are delighted to welcome the new Housing Minister to celebrate another OakleeTrinity success story. We wish both Mr Storey and the future residents of this scheme well.”
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