NI Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (NIHACT)
 | The N I Federation of Housing Associations is the sole Trustee of this small charity. NIHACT is a small trust providing grants or low interest loans which are generally less than £5,000. |
We aim to promote:
- quality of life for users
- provision for unmet needs
- good practice
- innovation
- user involvement
- a strong voluntary housing sector
We may support any charitable activity. However, preference will be given to applications which will enhance the social, economic or environmental sustainability of communities in which housing associations work.
If your group would like to make an application for a grant from NIHACT please download and read NIHACT's Funding Criteria and Procedure and then complete the PDF application form / WORD | application form. It should be returned to NIFHA. It is an ongoing application process.
Latest News
23 June 09: AGM 09
Malone House was the venue for this year's AGM. It was a thought provoking evening as Alan McKay (pictured right) gave those who attended an insight into NIHACT's work. Attendees were told about the diverse organisations and superb projects our fund has supported in the last year. His power point presentation may be viewed here: NIHACT Powerpoint. Further information can be viewed in the Annual Report 2008-09 |  |
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Representatives from a range of Housing Associations attended the AGM together with some MLAs. Pictured above right is Ian Elliott (NIHACT Committee) with Ana Lo MLA (Alliance Party).
28 May 09: Action MS
 | "The buggy is essential for our work - we can't do without one." Ann Walker, Action MS Chief Executive, said when the buggy (pictured left) was recently handed over by NIHACT's Chair Tom O'Neill. A substantial amount of Action MS' revenue comes from sponsored walks undertaken by school children. For safety reasons the walks are generally through forest parks. The NIHACT Committee was approached to support the purchase of a new golf buggy which would be used off road to take anyone with an injury back to base. |
| Ann Walker and Tom O'Neill taking the buggy for a spin! |
The previous buggy lasted ten years but needed to be changed. Without the buggy the walks would not take place. It is a visable sign of Action MS' commitment to health and safety which NIHACT was pleased to support. Pupils from Strandtown PS were the first to benefit from the buggy as it was premiered at their recent walk in Belvoir Forest Park. Pictures can be seen on Flickr.
20 Feb 09: Larne Community Centre
More short-term accommodation for families in need is now available at Larne Community Centre through its 'Crisis Accommodation' outreach service. NIHACT was delighted to help to fund the furnishing for two apartments which have been refurbished by the Community Group. Pictured is Tom O'Neill, NIHACT's Chair, handing the cheque over to Lucinda McFaul, Larne Community Centre's Development Manager at the official opening of the new apartments. More photos are on Flickr. |  |
In the past NIHACT has helped projects with a diverse remit.
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| ChildLine | Beyond Skin | Help the Aged | Drop in Centre |
- a community facility for senior citizens in a new housing project;
- a boxing club to replace inadequate accommodation and equipment;
- teenagers from NI and overseas to create and record their own style of music;
- homeless people, including destitute migrant workers who receive no state help;
- the installation of equipment to improve security and independence for older people;
- a group providing advice, counselling and support for people with addiction problems;
- a playground for under 10s in a supported housing project;
- teenagers in a cross-community soccer tournament; and
- the training of a volunteer adviser for a children’s charity.
Copies of the 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 Annual Reports may be downloaded as a PDF document.
Note: PDF means Portable Document Format and requires a suitable reader to view it. A reader can be downloaded free from the Adobe website (full instructions for downloading the reader are provided on the site).
2008-09 NIHACT Board Members
| Tom O'Neill (Chairperson) | |
| Ray Cashell | John McLean |
| Ian Elliot | John Patterson |
| Alan McCay | Derek Rankin |
| Tom McCurley |
Voluntary Board Members of the Charitable Trust
Would you be interested in serving on the Charitable Trust? We need socially motivated people with experience or skills in diverse fields such as community development, business, the built environment, law and finance. Expressions of interest are welcome from citizens throughout Northern Ireland. We are particularly keen to attract respondents from the nine groups covered by S75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Download and return: NIHACT Background Information, Application Form (WORD or PDF formats) and Monitoring Form (WORD or PDF Formats)
Contact NIHACT for further information:
Tel: 028 9023 0446
Email nihact@nifha.org
Write to: NIHACT, 38 Hill St, Belfast, BT1 2LB
