Attwood opens new social housing at Pottinger's Quay

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has opened a new housing development of 27 family apartments at Pottinger’s Quay in East Belfast today.

The homes, purchased by Clanmil Housing as part of the Laganside Corporation Initiative, bring to completion the £10million regeneration of the Pottinger’s Quay riverside development. This latest social housing provision sits alongside two previously completed blocks of private residential accommodation and incorporates a childcare day centre run by a local community group.

Minister Attwood said: "Today celebrates the provision of much needed new housing for East Belfast and the Short Strand area and completes this landmark residential development of private and social housing. This clearly demonstrates how government and the private sector working together can regenerate and transform areas to create vibrant new communities."

The £4million block of two bedroom apartments has been finished to the highest standards and has been allocated to those in urgent housing need. During a tour of the premises, the Minister took the opportunity to call on resident Adele Dobbin and welcome her to her new home.

The Minister continued: "Having a home is one of the most fundamental rights a person can have. Social housing is now at its highest level for over a decade and as Minister for Social Development, I intend to maintain that focus. A decent home for everyone will be at the heart of all my endeavours."

Joan Baird, Chair of Clanmil Housing welcomed the Minister to Pottinger’s Quay. She said: "Clanmil is committed to providing high quality, affordable homes for rent in areas of high housing need and we have worked in partnership with the private sector and local community representatives to successfully deliver these beautiful waterfront homes in an area where the demand for social housing is particularly high.

We are delighted to welcome our new tenants to Pottinger’s Quay and wish them well as they settle into their new homes and new community."

Adele Dobbin, a tenant at the new scheme, was pleased to show the Minister around her new home. She said: "I am pleased that I was offered one of these apartments by Clanmil. It is really modern and bright and in such a great place, beside the river and so close to the city centre. I have settled well into my new home and I look forward to many happy years here."

Note to editors:

1. Clanmil Housing is one of 32 housing associations registered with the Department for Social Development, giving access to grant for social housing. It is one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations with a stock of 2,400 homes for rent.

2. The 27 apartments cost £4.2million to purchase, with associated costs. The Department for Social Development, through the Housing Executive, funded £3.3million by Housing Association Grant, with the balance of £0.9million funded by Clanmil Housing through private borrowing.

3. The Pottinger’s Quay development involved the construction of residential developments on three separate plots as part of a development agreement between the Laganside Corporation and Dado Developments. The Pottinger’s Quay development was transferred by Laganside to the Department for Social Development on the Corporation’s dissolution in 2007. The first two plots were completed as private residential accommodation in Laganside’s tenure. The Department, in partnership with the developer, completed the final plot in September 2009. The final plot was then purchased from the developer by Clanmil for social housing.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497 or Ciara McGuigan on 07792 150 486. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440.