028 8224 6118
Rural Housing Association’s proposed 14 unit scheme at Ballysavage Road, Parkgate has been identified as a potential Housing for All scheme, which if successful would see the provision of funding from the Department for Communities and Northern Ireland Housing Executive to develop a five-year good relations plan for the area.
What are “Housing for All” schemes?
Housing for All schemes are supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. If this proposed scheme proceeds it will benefit from good relations funding, which will be used to develop a five-year good relations plan for the entire Parkgate community and other rural communities within a five-mile radius.
Housing for All schemes are social housing developments, which are open to everyone, regardless of race, religion or community background. Homes within shared schemes are allocated the same as any other social hosuing scheme using the Housing Executive’s waiting list, with the aim of ensuring one community does not exceed the target 70%/ 30% mix.
Each shared neighbourhood is supported through the development and delivery of a five-year Good Relations Plan. The Good Relations Plan is managed by the Housing Association developing the shared scheme and it includes ‘bonding’ programmes which are delivered to the new shared neighbourhood residents, and ‘bridging’ programmes which are delivered between the new shared residents and residents from surrounding communities.
A key support mechanism to the delivery of the Good Relations Plan is the establishment of an Advisory Group. The Advisory Groups draw membership from the Housing Executive, local Councils’ Good Relations Officers, Community and Voluntary organisations and other statutory bodies.
Benefits of Housing for All Scheme:
- Fully funded community projects for children & young people, adults and older people. (Tenants will have a say in the community projects delivered in the area.)
- Tenants will have the opportunity to input into the design of their own neighbourhood agreement. This agreement will set out how tenants can make their neighbourhood a safe and inclusive place to live.
- Funding for the delivery of social events for both tenants and residents of the surrounding community.
- Regular support from Rural Housing Association staff.
- Establishment of a Housing for All Advisory group to guide community relations activities in the area.
If you would like to speak to a member of staff about Housing for All schemes, contact: Ruth Montgomery, Rural Housing Association; Phone: 028 8224 6118
Email: rmontgomery@ruralhousing.co.uk
To view our Parkgate consultation document click the link below:
