Attwood offers backing to home-owners in areas of regeneration

Home-owners who wish to remain in their community following large scale redevelopment received the full backing of Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today.

Launching proposals to support owner-occupiers, Minister Attwood said the new plans would be of particular interest to residents of the Village area, and also to those people living in North Belfast whose neighbourhoods have been recently earmarked for redevelopment.

Minister Attwood said: “Those in rented accommodation can be re-housed back in their community after redevelopment but, until now, home owners or owner-occupiers have been left to make their own arrangements once they have received compensation for giving up their old home.

“Many of these residents have lived in these communities since birth and whilst we need to modernise and replace many of their former homes, I want to make sure they have the opportunity to stay in their community and enjoy this new housing after our redevelopment work is complete.”

Until now, those who own and live in their homes have been subject to stringent regulations when they wished to re-purchase a home in their local community, following large scale regeneration.

Today’s proposals mean that all residents of a community under re-development will now have the chance to remain in their area after work has been completed.

Alex Attwood added: “It is imperative whilst regenerating the bricks and mortar of an area, that we are also mindful to maintain the other building blocks of the community - the residents who will give the area its bright future.”

The consultation period will run until 13 October 2010. The proposals in full can be accessed at http: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. This policy is available for those owner occupiers in affected areas who will have their home vested or compulsorily acquired to make way for regeneration work after 1 January 2009, provided they have lived in the area for at least one year.
2. This new initiative will support those communities in the Village as well as the three new areas recently identified in North Belfast for redevelopment.
3. The first proposal would allow former owner occupiers to buy a new home put back in the area by a Housing Association without having to meet the five year qualifying period normally associated with the House Sales Scheme.
4. The second proposal would allow former owner occupiers to invest the compensation from their former home into a new house put back in the area with any shortfall between the old and new valuations held as a rent free Golden Share by the Housing Association.
5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497 or Ciara McGuigan on 07792 150486. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.