Twenty two families to benefit from Lurgan housing intervention - Ritchie

Twenty two homes, formerly for the private market, are being purchased direct from a builder in Lurgan, for social housing.

The twenty two high quality family homes were built by Moss Construction in James Street and Mark Street in Lurgan. South Ulster Housing Association have acquired the homes and are ready to allocate them to twenty two families currently in housing stress and waiting for re-housing in the area.

Handing over the keys to the first tenants, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: “In the New Housing Agenda I said that we needed to be imaginative in increasing the supply of social housing. This scheme in Lurgan is about getting homes which are cheaper to buy than to build, in an area where there is an urgent need for more social housing. Twenty two families will now immediately enjoy a quality home in an area where they may previously have had to wait years to live.

“With the recent downturn in the housing market, we have been pro active in acquiring housing at the right price, to alleviate the most urgent housing need. I agree with the RICS who earlier this week said that we should only buy homes where the need is greatest and the price is right. These are the right homes, at the right price, in the right place. It is good that in an area of high housing need, we have a win/win situation for both the public and private sector.”

John Armstrong, Managing Director of the Construction Employers Federation accompanied Minister Ritchie during the visit. He said: “Many thousands of jobs have already been lost across the construction industry and support from government to purchase properties like these where there is urgent social housing need will help protect those still employed in the sector. We welcome Minister Ritchie’s intervention at this difficult time for the wider construction sector and if we can bring forward more quality housing schemes like this, at the right price and where they are most needed, we can look forward to helping the minister deliver the New Housing Agenda.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA will hand over the keys to the new tenants at 12.45am on Thursday 23 October in Mark Street Lurgan.
2. For further information, please contact Philip Maguire DSD information Office on 028 9082 9079 or 07788 108657