Ritchie launches new Housing Association

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA, will today launch Northern Ireland’s newest housing association at Malone House in Belfast.

Alpha Housing Association has been formed out of the amalgamation of Abode and Presbyterian Housing Associations. Like many local housing associations, both organisations have a Christian ethos and the new name reflects its biblical origin, but is also a means by which Abode is Linked to Presbyterian Housing Association. The new association inherits a stock of some 950 social houses for rent spread across 36 individual schemes.

Welcoming the merger, Minister Ritchie praised the work of the two former housing associations and said: “This is a new chapter in the life of our ever evolving social housing movement. Abode and Presbyterian Housing Associations have both been successful in their own right and have made a very real difference to the lives and well being of a great many people.

“However, change and challenge require new thinking and the Boards of both housing associations are to be congratulated for having the foresight to amalgamate the strengths of their respective organisations. The new ALPHA Association will be stronger and better placed to exploit the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Past and present Chairmen of Abode and Presbyterian Housing Associations, Walton Balmer, Wesley Parker and Ross Evans will also attend the event and reflect on past achievements.

Notes to editors

1. Margaret Ritchie will today officially launch Northern Ireland’s newest housing association, Alpha Housing, at Malone House, Barnetts Park, Belfast at 1.30pm.

2. Alpha Housing (Northern Ireland) Limited is located at 7A Weavers Court, Linfield Road, Belfast BT12 5GH. Tel: 028 9050 7755

3. Alpha Housing Association is one of 32 housing associations registered with the Department for Social Development, thereby entitling it to apply for Housing Association Grant to provide social housing.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9468 or Joe Livingston on 07920 187938. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.