NIFHA Press Room
NIFHA response to Minister's Statement on Helm Houisng Inspection
Monday 16 January 2012
NIFHA responds to the release of the Helm Housing Round 2 Final Inspection ReportIn response to the, ‘Inspection of Helm Housing Association – Round 2 Final Report’, published by the Department for Social Development (DSD) today, Cameron Watt, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA), said:
“Northern Ireland’s housing association movement welcomes the publication of the DSD report, which concludes the Department’s full investigation and review on this important issue.
“Like Helm Housing Association, NIFHA values the report’s findings and recommendations. Helm has already swiftly and effectively responded as the DSD recognise.
“Housing associations’ top priority is working closely with their customers to ensure high quality services and value for money.
“With its new senior team in place, Helm is well-placed to provide a good service to the residents of its 5,192 properties and to re-commence the building of much-needed social homes.
“We are reassured that seven DSD inspections of large housing associations’ development programmes triggered by this inquiry have confirmed that they are fit-for-purpose.
“Housing associations play a vital role in Northern Ireland, providing 36,000 social and affordable homes, a wide range of community services and valuable jobs. Looking forward, our members will be working closely with their customers, lenders and the DSD to further improve and expand services to communities. ”
Established in 1977, NIFHA is independent of the government, political parties and private interests. It represents all 31 registered housing associations in Northern Ireland.
Ends
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Notes for editors:
- There are 31 registered housing associations in NI, all of which are members of NIFHA.
- Housing associations manage around 36,000 units of rented accommodation - over a quarter all social housing in NI – Source: NIHE
- In addition 21,000 households in NI have received assistance purchasing their own homes through Co-ownership Housing
- Since 1991/92, 6,639 additional homes were provided through private finance from Housing Associations – Source: DSD
- Collectively, Housing Associations have taken out over £626.2million of private finance to assist with social house building, in Northern Ireland since 1991
- In 2011 the NIFHA Tenant Satisfaction Survey found 86% of tenants were satisfied/highly satisfied with the services provided by their housing associations. Some 84% of tenants felt the rent charged represented good value for money and 90% of housing association tenants stated they were satisfied with their accommodation.
