13 September 2006
HANSON CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF THE HOUSING EXECUTIVE
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive's 35th Annual Report (2005/06) was launched today by the Minister for Social Development, David Hanson.
Whilst visiting the home of former Housing Executive tenant Baroness Blood, the Minister praised the organisation's performance: "Excellent work has been carried out by the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland over the last 35 years, often in extremely difficult circumstances.
"Everyone involved in housing, including past and present staff of the Housing Executive, should be extremely proud that, in spite of all the challenges the Province has faced, housing in Northern Ireland continues to improve.
"This year's annual report focuses on the recent achievements as well as the initiatives and programmes which have continued to make a real and positive difference to Northern Ireland's communities. Although we are celebrating 35 years during which the Housing Executive has helped to transform Northern Ireland's cities, towns and countryside, we do recognise that there is still much to be done to continue the improvement of housing conditions here.
"The Housing Executive has an extremely important strategic role to play, not only in implementing the Government's housing policies, but also in working with a range of agencies as part of the Government's overall efforts to address poverty and social exclusion."
Writing in the Annual Report Brian Rowntree, Chairman of the Housing Executive said: "I am constantly impressed by how the organisation and staff have the desire to develop, adapt and change. The development of the Housing Executive has one purpose: to improve our business for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland. Over the year, some of our new initiatives, improvements and ongoing programmes are making a real impact on communities and individuals in Northern Ireland.
"The Housing Executive needs to continue to confront the housing problems that it faces and ensure that the residential sector delivers its full potential. There are big opportunities and major challenges ahead and housing must remain a priority in the future."
During the visit, Baroness Blood and Geraldine McAteer, Chief Executive of the West Belfast Partnership Board, told the Minister about the early days of the Housing Executive and how the residents of Springmartin and the wider west Belfast areas, working together with the Executive, have totally transformed their neighbourhoods.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Housing Executive's Annual Report sets out its achievements during the previous year and in particular reports against its business plan objectives. It also sets out the full audited accounts (certified by the Local government Auditor and the C&AG) as well as the report from the Northern Ireland Housing Council.
2. Housing Executive achievements over the last 35 years:
a. Urban and rural regeneration
b. 80,000 new homes built
c. More than 540,000 housing allocations made
d. More than 114,000 homes sold
e. Improvements made to more than 450,000 homes in public and private sectors
f. £300 million spent on disability adaptations since 1990
g. More than £2 billion invested in maintenance and improvement
h. Community acceptability
i. Recognised quality of design and services
j. 40 Charter Marks3. The Housing Executive is Northern Ireland's strategic housing authority.
4. The Department for Social Development provides the financial, legislative and policy framework in which the Housing Executive and Housing Associations operate. It contributed almost £160million in grant to the Housing Executive's running costs.
5. The department also appoints the Board of the Housing Executive.
6. For media enquiries contact 028 9082 9497.
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