Minister welcomes Shared Future for Clanmil families

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today launched a Shared Future housing scheme at Causeway Meadows in Lisburn.

The Minister sees housing as an important route to a Shared Future in Northern Ireland.

She visited the families in their new homes which are owned and managed by Clanmil Housing.

Margaret Ritchie said: “It is very rewarding for me to visit Causeway Meadows today to meet families committed to securing a shared future for their children. The New Housing Agenda is not simply about increasing the supply of good quality, well-designed, energy efficient homes. It is as much about creating sustainable communities that welcome diversity in whichever form that exists. In Causeway Meadows we have private tenants co-existing with social housing tenants as well as with people from different cultural and social backgrounds. This is what sharing our future is about.”

Working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Clanmil Housing purchased 22 units for social housing within the 140 unit private development.

Geraldine Rice, Chair of Clanmil Housing welcomed the Minister and said: “Clanmil aims to provide high quality homes at the lowest possible economic rent for people in housing need and we were delighted to purchase these beautiful homes in an area where demand for social housing is high.

“There has been 100% sign up to the Shared Futures charter by our tenants who are all committed to living together in a mixed neighbourhood. These families are helping to shape the future and Clanmil will be supporting them as they settle into their new homes and new community.”

Mr & Mrs Earl, whose family has just moved into one of the Clanmil houses, were pleased to show the Minister around their new home. Mrs Victoria Earl said: “Everyone is getting on really well. We may be different in some ways but it doesn’t matter, the children play together and everyone wants to make it work. It’s how I want my family to live and I’m sure it’s the same for the other tenants. We don’t really think about it as shaping the future, we’re just getting on with our lives in our lovely new homes.”

During the visit the Minister, helped by some of the local children, planted a tree in the shared green space located at the heart of the scheme.

Notes to editors

1. Clanmil Housing is one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations. Clanmil owns and manages 2067 homes throughout Northern Ireland including family homes, independent living schemes for the elderly, housing with care for the frail elderly and supported housing for older people with dementia.
2. These are Clanmil’s first properties in the Lisburn area. They were identified by Clanmil Housing for inclusion in the Shared Future programme because of the number of people on the housing waiting list for the area wishing to live in a vibrant neighbourhood.
3. Causeway Meadows is part of the Lisburn Housing Strategy which was initiated as a shared housing scheme by the Housing Executive.
4. The Causeway Meadows families have signed a Shared Future charter as part of their tenancy agreements committing to live harmoniously alongside their neighbours regardless of their religion or race.
5. The 22 social housing units comprise a range of family accommodation within 3 and 4 bedroom semi-detached and townhouses.
6. The Shared Future initiative, a key element in the New Housing Agenda, aims to create mixed neighbourhoods where people choose to live with others regardless of their religion or race, in an area that is safe and where diversity is welcomed.
7. Media enquiries to Simon Stuart in DSD Information Office on 02890 829496 or 07920 186639. Out of office hours please contact the Deputy Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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