More new homes will put another dent in West Belfast waiting list

Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today announced plans to go a further way to increase and improve housing in West Belfast.

Plans approved by Alex Attwood will see work to 26 new homes in the Roden Street area begin next year, with an additional 20 flats being converted into 10 new family homes, and 13 maisonettes refurbished to create 13 new modern family homes. The Housing Executive is now consulting with residents on these plans.

This will make a huge dent in the current housing waiting list in the Roden Street area.

Alex Attwood said: “The 26 new homes will go a long way to relieving those in housing stress. Further, the refurbishment work will make better use of existing homes and therefore help to meet the demand for homes in the area. I want to improve both the quality and quantity of housing for those in greatest need and these plans will do just that.”

In addition to this, the Housing Executive has announced plans to visit the area in the coming months to assess the state of windows not upgraded in the last replacement scheme from 2005/06.

Should that assessment identify a need to replace the remaining windows, this will be included in a scheme for next year, alongside a kitchen replacement scheme to upgrade those homes who did not have a kitchen replacement in the last scheme in 2007/08.

Both of these schemes will be subject to the availability of finance in the coming years once the budgets have been agreed.

Minister Attwood added: “After uncertainty, local people can now look forward to this improved housing in their community. Whilst some of our plans will depend on the outcome of the forthcoming budget negotiations, I am pleased that other work on the new housing can start without further delay.”

Notes to editors:

1. 18 new homes will be built Distillery Street. This is expected to start in 2011 and is expected to cost £2.5million.
2. A further eight new homes will replace 13 hard to let bungalows at Arundel Court/Walk and Excise Walk. This work is expected to commence in 2012.
3. Refurbishment work will see 20 flats at Arundel Walk converted into 10 modern family homes.
4. The conversion of 13 maisonette buildings located at Roden Pass, Roden Street and Roden Square will provide new two-storey, terraced housing.
5. Media enquiries to Ciara McGuigan, DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.