Attwood opens new housing in west Belfast

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today opened much needed family apartments at Clonard Gardens in West Belfast.

The homes were purchased by Fold Housing Association using grant aid from the Department for Social Development and have been allocated to families in urgent housing need.

Minister Attwood said: “West Belfast suffers from high levels of housing stress, with sites difficult to source. Purchasing an already planned, high quality development means that 11 families from the waiting list have been housed sooner than expected.

“These one and two bedroom apartments are modern, spacious and have been built with energy saving features in place. It is also important that the new residents feel safe and secure in their homes, so all have been purchased with Secured by Design and Lifetime Homes accreditation already in place.”

The Minister continued: “These homes are part of a £216million housing investment which has been delivered through the Housing Executive’s West Belfast Strategy. Over the past seven years, while there has been much done, there is still more to do. My department has already announced proposals for a new neighbourhood centred on the Glen Road and the Monagh Bypass, which could lead to 900 jobs and 1,400 new homes. My aim is to champion more housing and regeneration for areas that clearly need it most, like West Belfast.”

During his visit to the apartments, the Minister was introduced to new tenant Joseph Mullan who showed the Minister around his new home.

Notes to editors:

1. Fold Housing is one of 32 housing associations registered with the Department for Social Development, thereby gaining access to Housing Association Grant. Fold manages some 4,600 homes providing housing, care and support to families, single people, older people and people with complex needs.
2. This 11 unit scheme cost £1.5million. The Department for Social Development funded £1.1million through the Housing Executive, with the balance of £0.4million contributed by Fold through private financing.
3. The Greater West Belfast Housing Strategy, managed by the Housing Executive, has delivered 1,709 new social homes over the past seven years, with over £216million invested by the Department for Social Development and the Housing Executive for new build, modernisation and private sector grants.
4. On 12 November 2009, previous Minister Margaret Ritchie announced the potential to create a new neighbourhood in West Belfast. The report is available on the DSD internet site at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/urcdg-br-publications.htm
5. Media enquiries and Photograph requests to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497 or Fearghal O’Reilly on 07920 832 279. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.