The Housing Executive (HE) has confirmed it is to invest £15.82m to upgrade and maintain homes in Derry.
The plans were outlined at the HE’s annual presentation of the local District Housing Plan to Derry City Council at which Frank O’Connor, the HE’s regional manager for North, said maintaining its stock was a “priority” and revealed they would be spending over £6 million on maintenance.
Mr O’Connor said the HE had a “strong agenda” for and during 2014/2015 would support the delivery of new social housing as well as investing £15.82 million upgrading and maintaining tenants’ homes, supporting people to live independently, increasing the energy efficiency of homes and providing grant aid in the private sector.
Mr O’Connor added: “Maintaining our stock is a priority for the Housing Executive and this year we will be spending £6.34 million on planned and response maintenance to Housing Executive homes.
“This will include the installation of double glazing in 452 homes, new heating in 161 homes, smoke alarms in 1.070 homes, outside improvements to 924 homes and kitchen replacements to 711 homes.
“We will also support those tenants who need help to live independently in their homes through the provision of adaptations.
“Last year we spent £435,800 on both major and minor works helping people live more comfortably in their homes.”
Frank O’Connor added through the HE’s Regional Services, they would help meet social housing need through support to the social development programme.
He added: “During 2014/15, in partnership with the housing associations, 625 new units of accommodation are planned to start on site.
“Last year, 215 new homes were completed and ten schemes for a further 323 units of accommodation were on site.”
The HE supported the most vulnerable through the Supporting People Programme with £8.2 million for housing support services for 2014/15 and currently funds 59 sheltered and supported housing schemes in Derry.
Mr O’Connor added: “In addition we will provide assistance to help adapt homes in the private sector through Disabled Facilities Grants.
“Last year, we completed 99 Disabled Facilities Grants and approved 103 with an investment of £1.21 million.
“We supported improvement and repairs in the private sector through the provision of £2.4 million in grant aid and energy efficiency initiatives through the new Affordable Warmth Scheme and the Boiler Replacement Scheme.”
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