Housing Executive Chief Executive, Grainia Long, reflected on the unprecedented year, which saw the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and noted how the organisation had changed how it works to ensure customers were cared for.
She said; “Covid-19 presented huge challenges for us, as we moved staff out of offices to work at home, while lockdown restrictions and supply issues meant a backlog in tacking repairs and delays in much needed upgrade schemes on our estates.
“Despite this, and thanks to the dedication of our staff, we were able to continue to deliver services to tenants and communities to an extremely high level.
“£12.39m was invested in new-build accommodation in the borough, which saw 80 of housing starts getting underway, 151 units on-site at March 2021, while housing completions for the year were seven.
“We provided £131,719 in grant funding to support local groups in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, across several funding streams, including our Community Grants, Community Safety and Community Cohesion programmes.
“In terms of homelessness, there were 1,144 homelessness presentations last year, with 608 homelessness acceptances.
“Given the necessity to social distance the hostels in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, this situation placed enormous pressure on temporary accommodation in the borough and as we emerge from the pandemic, our reset plan,
"The Way Home, has been fully funded by the Department for Communities.”
“I’d like to sincerely thank the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Councillors for their interest in our work and I very much look forward to engaging with them as we move away from the Covid pandemic in the year ahead.”
You can view the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2021 annual update below.
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