Annual Conference
NIFHA hosts the foremost annual housing association conference for Northern Ireland. Each occasion gives members of the housing association movement the opportunity to gather and discuss what is affecting the sector, how challenges might be overcome and what the future might have in store for social housing.
Each year NIFHA's conference offers those working in, or who have an interest in, housing associations a combination of keynote speakers, policy discussion, practical advice and study visits. There is truly an option to suit everyone. Below you'll find information and pictures on previous conferences. For further information on these and future conferences please contact NIFHA's events team on: communications@nifha.org or telephone 028 9023 0446
Annual Conference 2007 - 25-26 October in Armagh City
The 2007 Conference's opening address came from The Department for Social Development's Permanent Secretary, Alan Shannon (pictured right). In his address Mr Shannon announced an additional £20 million investment for the 2007-08 financial year by the government for the building programme. He also commented "...all of us working in housing must work in partnership together to find ways to use existing resources more effectively and to think creatively about how to generate alternative sources of funding to meet the demand for social and affordable housing." Members can view notes from Mr Shannon's speech in the members only section of NIFHA's website.
|  |
 | The lender's perspective was examined by Steve Amos (pictured first on left) of Barclays Bank plc in a continuation of the opening session. This was followed by talks from two representatives from Holland, Arjen van Gijssel speaking about Social Housing: its impact on civil society and Frank Koster who spoke about Choice-based lettings. All speakers left delegates with much to think about and discuss during the conference's breaks. |
The conference offered an extensive list of workshops for delegates to undertake. These included sessions on planning, finance, work-life balance, the environment, sustainability, lobbying equality and modern construction challenges. "Question Time" which included Heather Cousins (DSD), John McPeake (NIHE), Brendan Curran (Sinn Fein) and Gary McFarlane (CIEH-NI) gave delegates and panellists alike the opportunity to discuss a wide range of pressing issues affecting the social housing sector. Delegates agreed it was a superb chance to promote debate. |  |
Day 2 was opened by Brian Rowntree, Chairperson NIHE, who spoke on Partnerships: Raising Capital for Housing Growth. This was followed by a debate on the procurement issue which is high on housing associations' agenda. John McLean, Clare McCarty, Ray Cashell and Sam Preston were the panellists. It provoked a lively set of discussions.
The 2007 Exhibition
The support from sponsors and exhibitors is vital to the conference's continued success. Below are some images from this years exhibition...
 |  |  |  |
Firmus Energy | Roger Bullivant | Solar Century | Energy Saving Trust |
 |  |  | |
| Gerkros | H & A Mechanical | NHBC |
