Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon plans outlined

We are due to make a significant investment in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, during 2019/20, to support the delivery of new homes.

• Download the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2019-2023 (PDF 3.8MB)

Almost £26.59m will be invested in upgrading and maintaining its properties, supporting people to live independently, increasing the energy efficiency of homes and providing grant aid in the private sector. 

Through our Landlord and Regional Services last year, we invested £26.27m in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.  This includes grant aid to Housing Associations for the building of new social houses.

Our staff gave a presentation on the Housing Investment Plan (HIP) to local Councillors, during which it highlighted many of the organisation’s achievements made over the past year.

Across Northern Ireland, we channelled some £82.3m into services to help the most vulnerable. This included £10.1m of direct funding on homelessness services and £72.2m of Supporting People grant of which £26m provided housing support services to assist homeless households.

In addition, there was a large planned maintenance programme, with work undertaken at 28,223 homes; a direct investment of £128m to these homes. 

Over 380,000 response maintenance repairs were carried out at a budgetary cost of £54.2m.

Homeowners and private landlords also received considerable support, with £13.7m spent through home improvement grants and £16.4m in tackling fuel poverty through the Affordable Warmth and Boiler Replacement Schemes.

Speaking at the Presentation to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Catherine McFarland, our Director, said: 

“A range of stakeholders inform our Housing Investment Plan, which is developed as a comprehensive conversation piece for the whole Northern Ireland housing sector. 

“We have a good working relationship with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and there is a lot of engagement on priorities. 

“As the strategic housing authority for Northern Ireland, we have prepared this Housing Investment Plan to inform the Community Planning Partnership on the state of the housing market; on housing needs; the policy priorities and public sector investment proposals for 2019-23. 

“Lots of work needs to be done to meet housing need, to improve housing stock and to provide support for the most vulnerable in our community. We will continue to play our part to ensure this work is delivered efficiently and effectively.”

Maintaining our housing stock is a priority, and this year we will spend £16.14m in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, on planned and response maintenance to its homes.

This will include external maintenance work to 1,741 properties, 238 properties will receive Double Glazing, 91 properties will receive Roof Improvements, 68 properties will receive Kitchen Replacements, 100 properties will receive Bathroom Replacements, 266 properties will receive Kitchen and Bathroom Replacements, 1,080 properties will receive Heating Installations; 12 properties will receive Capital work and 83 properties will receive Special scheme work.

This year, we plan to invest almost £3.57m on stock improvements and adaptations for disabled persons. 

During 2019/20, in partnership with housing associations, around 33 new homes are planned throughout the district.

We endeavour to support the most vulnerable members of society through its Supporting People Programme. 

In 2019/20, we will invest over £4.80m for housing support services.

The Housing Executive currently funds 62 accommodation based services for almost 1,043 service users in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area as well as six floating support services for 307 service users.

We continue to contribute to the private sector through a variety of grants to help adapt homes and to support people living in their own home, for longer. 

Last year, we approved 103 disabled facilities grants and a number of repair and renovation grants totalling £1.35m. 

Speaking at the Presentation, our Regional Manager for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Johnny Blease said:

“Our Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon teams provide a high quality, dedicated housing service to the area. 
                                                                                                                                                               
“Working alongside our Customer Services Unit, Accounts and Housing Benefit teams, we provide our tenants and the wider community with an effective and efficient service.

“We are committed to investing in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, to improve the lives of people in our community.

“My thanks are extended to the Councillors and Officers of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for their support for the Housing Executive - we look forward to continuing to work with them on matters of mutual interest, over the coming year.”