£21.4m investment by Housing Executive

The figures were provided at a recent meeting with the Council, at which the Housing Executive provided an update on its plans for the next four years, and reported on last year’s investment.

The Housing Executive will support the delivery of new homes, as well as invest £21.4m upgrading and maintaining its properties, support people to live independently, increase the energy efficiency of homes and provide grant aid in the private sector.

Speaking at the presentation to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Siobhan McCauley, the Housing Executive’s Director of Regional Services said: “The Housing Executive works hard to maintain a good working relationship with councils and it is important this continues.

“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.

“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.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done to meet housing need, improve housing stock and provide support for the most vulnerable in our community.

“We at the Housing Executive will continue to play our part to ensure this work is delivered efficiently, effectively and judiciously.”

Maintaining its housing stock is a priority for the Housing Executive and this year in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area the organisation will spend nearly £11.07 million on planned and response maintenance to its homes.

This will include outside maintenance work to 1,103 homes, the installation of kitchens in 407 homes, new heating for 373 homes, double glazing in 328 homes and the new style make-over where bathrooms and kitchens are being installed as well as an upgrade to the house’s electrics 109 homes.

In the Armagh City, 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 £596k on both major and minor works helping people live more comfortably in their homes.