Housing for All, Sion Mills

Rural Housing Association is currently conducting a consultation within the Sion Mills area to identify if there is support for an additional Housing for All Scheme in the village.  Rural Housing Association currently own a 14-unit Housing for All scheme in Sion Mills (Old Mill Court), but have commenced work on identifying other suitable locations in the village for the delivery of a second Housing for All scheme and would be keen to hear from the local community.

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 Rural Housing are successful in identifying a second Housing for All scheme in the village,  Sion  Mills will benefit from additional good relations funding for the area, which will be used to develop a five-year good relations plan for both Sion Mills 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 housing 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 or respond to the above consultation, contact: Ruth Montgomery, Rural Housing Association; Phone: 028 8224 6118 Email: rmontgomery@ruralhousing.co.uk