Armagh Housing News 2011 - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Housing
NEWS
40 th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2011
Armagh

Housing
NEWS 2011
40 Years On
This year the Housing Executive celebrates its 40th anniversary. As we look back, Northern
Ireland today is a different place compared to those dark days in the early 70s.
When we look at housing the change is remarkable.
Our housing, from being amongst the worst in Europe,
with around one in five homes unfit, is now amongst
the best, with the rate of unfitness now at an all time
low of 2.4%. There remain, of course, major issues
to be tackled. Social housing is deeply segregated
and while much work is being undertaken by the
Housing Executive and by local communities, it will
take time, patience and a great deal of goodwill and
understanding.
As with the last 40 years, we will continue to move
forward. There will be problems to address, we will
encounter criticism, we will be faced with unpopular
courses of action, but ultimately we will be judged on
our record and achievements. Improving the quality
of housing and the environment we live in is a job
which will never be complete. The challenges we face,
particularly within the current economic environment,
are many, but we are working to find solutions to
address these.
If we could single out one of our major concerns, it
would be that of fuel poverty. If there is a repeat of last
year’s harsh winter, the Housing Executive would have
real concerns for the welfare of many of our tenants,
particularly in light of the recent increase in fuel and
energy costs.
The pressures we face make change inevitable but
change is nothing new to us. We have an enviable
reputation for providing high quality public services
and that will be maintained. Due to our restrained
budget we cannot deliver the improvements to
our stock as quickly as we would like to, but we will
continue to make the case for investment .
Finally, we would like to thank all those people in the
community who work with us, giving up their free time
to create better neighbourhoods.Without their support
and hard work, much of what is achieved would be
impossible.
We don’t pretend to have all the answers but we
give you a commitment that everything will be done
to deliver our core values of fairness and equality to
everyone.
Last winter demonstrated that many elderly and
vulnerable people could not heat their homes properly.
This resulted in substantial damage to homes and
many households being left without heating in both
the private and public sectors. Through new legislation
we are trying to bulk buy electricity and therefore help
tenants by reduced electricity bills. This is a start but
other measures will be needed.
Brian Rowntree
Chairman
John McPeake
Chief Executive
Armagh District Offce
Armagh District Offce, 48 Dobbin Street,
Armagh BT61 7QQ
Main Number: 03448 920 900
Repairs: 03448 920 901
Housing Benefit: 03448 920 902
Fax: 028 3831 0641
Email:
armagh@nihe.gov.uk
The District Offce is open to the public during the
following times:­
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:
9.30am - 4.00pm
Wednesday: 9.30am - 12.30pm
The offce will be closed on all statutory public and
bank holidays.
Customer Service Award
Have you received good service from a particular
Housing Executive Offce or an individual member
of staff? If they have gone that extra mile to help,
would you like to nominate them for a customer
service award. If so:
• Write to the offce that the staff member works
in, or
• Email us at info@nihe.gov.uk, or
• Using our Facebook page www.facebook.com/
thehousingexecutive
When contacting us please include your reasons
for your nomination.
2

Armagh
Neighbourhood Officer Service
Earlier this year we launched our new Neighbourhood Offcer
Service in Armagh after consultation with local communities
and a review of our existing estate based services.
Acting District Manager Owen McDonnell explained:
“Our Neighbourhood Offcers have a clear remit to
support individual tenants and also to develop local
neighbourhoods to help residents meet their aspirations
for their communities. We would encourage our tenants to
get to know their Neighbourhood Offcer and how best to
make use of the services they can provide.”
The local Housing Community Network lent their support
to the launch of the new service. Sam Lockhart of the
Loughgilly Together Residents Association commented,
“Neighbourhood Offcers are a valuable asset to the
community and the work they do with groups like ours has
(L to r) rear Housing Executive’s Owen McDonnell, Sinead Rush, &
Dean Weir. Front, local community representatives Sam Lockhart,
and Paul Cartmill.
resulted in visible improvements for the residents. I am confident that the positive partnership that we have
built up will continue and we wish them continued success for the future.”
Paul Cartmill, of the Longstone Residents Association added,
“It’s great to see that the Housing Executive is listening to what we want done on our own estates. Having a
Neighbourhood Offcer on the estate listening to the needs of tenants should mean that we see problems sorted
out faster.”
The two Neighbourhood Offcers, Sinead Rush and Dean Weir operate within our Armagh District. Their duties
include the provision of tenant support services, providing advice on a range of housing matters such as energy
conservation, home safety and adaptations for persons with a disability.
Sinead and Dean said:
“We really enjoy working with the communities and would encourage tenants to lift the phone and contact us
at the local District Offce if there is anything they are worried about.”
Housing Executive streamlines its Grants Service
The Housing Executive this year changed how it delivers its Private Sector Improvement Grants and Houses in
Multiple Occupation (HMO) service.
This was the latest in a number of improvements
implemented under our Modernising Services
programme. These changes, which take account of new
technology and the reduction in grants funding, will
provide a more effcient and cost effective service to our
customers, while maintaining high levels of customer
service.
Grant applications within the Armagh District are now
processed by the new South Grants Offce which will be
based at 35/45 Boat Street, Newry BT34 2DB
(telephone 03448 920 900).
Customers can rest assured that the high standard of
service they have come to expect from our Grants staff
will continue to be offered in the new South Grants Offce.
An example of works completed with Disabled Facilities Grant aid
provided by the Housing Executive.
3

Housing
NEWS 2011
Kitchen makeover for
local residents
80 Housing Executive tenants in the Markethill, Richhill,
Tandragee and Armagh areas recently received a
kitchen makeover courtesy of a scheme costing over
£500,000.
Armagh Acting District Manager, Owen McDonnell,
said
“It’s important that tenants’ homes are able to cater
for all aspects of modern day living and we believe
that the provision of high quality new kitchens is an
excellent way of achieving this.
“We are also working closely with the contractor to
ensure that the service provided before, during and
after installation is of the highest quality.”
Commenting on the scheme Bann Ltd Operations
Director, Anne Fox, said
“In partnership with the Housing Executive our aim
is to meet decent home standards. We know from
our consultation with tenants that having a decent,
modern kitchen is very important to them.
“Bann Ltd is committed to achieving high quality
workmanship and high levels of customer
satisfaction. We are working in partnership with the
Housing Executive and individual residents regarding
the details of work and when completed we carry out
customer satisfaction surveys to assess and monitor
our performance.”
The work included the upgrading of electrical and
plumbing installations including the provision of a
new cooker hood and extra sockets for appliances
like washing machines and tumble dryers. New floor
covering was also provided and mains-wired smoke
alarms fitted in homes that don’t already have one.
Facelift for Armagh
homes
Work to repair and maintain the external fabric
of 290 of our homes and 57 garages was also
completed this year in the Armagh District.
The contract valued at almost £740,000 was carried
out by Bann Ltd, our contractor for this type of
work in the South Area. The majority of homes
had external painting, windows serviced, concrete
surfaces, guttering and downpipes cleaned.
Commenting on the scheme our Acting District
Manager, Owen McDonnell said, “With the impact
of the economic recession and downturn in capital
receipts the Housing Executive has had to scale
back many of its work programmes this year, so
I am pleased that we were able to commit this
significant level of investment.
“Planned maintenance is designed to take care
of the external elements of tenants’ homes,
including repairing or replacing windows and
repainting. This has given a real facelift to the
entire area as well as benefiting individual
homes. Bann Ltd worked closely with the Housing
Executive and local residents to ensure that
work ran smoothly and was completed to a high
standard.”
The work was completed as part of our External
Cyclical Maintenance Programme which ensures
that the external fabric of homes is upgraded on a
regular basis so that they continue to meet modern
day standards. This brought our investment
through planned maintenance and improvements
in the Armagh area to almost £1.25 million this
year.
ECM work at Mossfield, Glenanne
A new kitchen fitted in an Armagh home
4

Armagh
Wasteland grows into community garden
Residents of the Drumarg area of Armagh will now be
able to avail of fresh organic vegetables following the
transformation of a derelict piece of land into a community
garden.
The garden was offcially opened by Social Development
Minister Nelson McCausland on July 4. The Minister stressed
that as well as helping nourish the community the vegetable
garden will also generate an income which can be used to
finance future projects.
Mr McCausland commented:
“Thanks to the vision of the Drumarg Community
Association we now have a project that not only enhances
the environment but also provides a nourishing source of
food for local residents.”
The Drumarg Community vegetable garden
Stephen McCleary, Chairperson of Drumarg Community Association commented:
“We developed the vegetable garden on a derelict piece of ground in the estate that had been used as a
dumping area and had become unsightly. Through partnership working with the Housing Executive and DSD
we built raised beds and planted nearly every vegetable you could think of eating.”
The Community Association signed a Licence Agreement with the District Offce and Habinteg Housing
Association to develop the site. Groundwork NI planned the layout of the site and Southern Regional College
provided apprentice brick layers through the Prince’s Trust to build the raised beds.
Housing help for families & the over 25s
Homecare Floating Support is a free short-term service available to people who are having diffculties managing
their home and staying independent in the community. The service is provided in partnership by the Housing
Executive and Homecare Independent Living and is available to over 25s and families living in any type of
accommodation (including homeowners) within the Armagh area.
The service offers:
• support that is person-centered with individuality
respected and supported;
• a confidential ear to listen;
• a designated project worker to work with the resident
one to one;
• a non-judgemental approach;
• regular home visits;
• participation in needs assessment and support planning;
• assistance for the resident in reaching their goals;
• help in times of need;
• a fair and effcient service.
If you are homeless, at risk of homelessness or feel you need
support or assistance with housing related issues, please
call 03448 920 900 and ask to be put through to our local
Housing Executive district offce or call in, in person. Just
simply ask to be referred to Homecare Floating Support
Service.
Mairead Mackle, Homecare & the Housing Executive’s Aengus
Hannaway at the launch of the service in Armagh
5

Housing
NEWS 2011
Neighbourhood renewal
The Housing Executive and Department for Social
Development have worked in partnership with the local
community to deliver a range of projects through Armagh
Neighbourhood Renewal.
Over the past year the partnership delivered a complete
‘alley-gating’ project the first of its kind outside Belfast, to
the residents of Callanbridge Park, Armagh. The scheme
involved the installation of wrought iron gates with a door
entry system. The project aims to reduce the levels of antisocial
behaviour, rubbish dumping and help to regenerate
the area. Two much needed car parking improvement
schemes were also completed at Druids Villas and Drumarg
Park.
Callanbridge alley-gating
Druids Villas, an estate of 30 houses had no parking available
to the front or rear of the dwellings. The narrow access road
could only accommodate a maximum of 20 parked cars.
Access for large service vehicles also proved problematic.
The solution involved realignment of the existing road,
provision of an additional 20 car parking spaces and an
improved turning head.
In Drumarg Park inadequate parking resulted in blocked
sight lines and congestion due to lack of designated spaces.
Following completion of the project an additional 12 car
parking spaces were provided.
At Mullacreevie Park fencing was provided to improve the
appearance of the area and address anti-social behaviour.
Druids Villas - additional parking
Rent arrears – everyone pays
In the period from March 2010 to March 2011 the total amount of
rent and rates owed by tenants in Armagh decreased from £157,000
to £135,000 . However, the impact of this level of arrears can not be
underestimated.
It’s easy to think that tenants who can, but choose not to pay their
rent, affect only themselves as they could ultimately be evicted from
their home for non payment. However this isn’t the end of the story as that lost money could be used to fund
planned maintenance schemes to replace out of date windows, kitchens and heating systems. So you can see
that rent arrears really do affect everyone!
We would like to remind all our tenants in Armagh of their responsibility to maintain regular payments and
would ask anyone struggling to meet their rental charge to contact the Customer Service Unit as soon as
possible.
Staff there have been trained to give money advice and will ensure that you are in receipt of any benefits
that you are entitled to. They can also provide with you a realistic prevention or repayment plan and can be
contacted in person at Marlborough House, Central Way, Craigavon or by telephone on 03448 920 900.
Or if you prefer they will be able to put you in touch with other agencies who provide specialist money advice.
Margaret Donnelly
South Area Accounts & Customer Services Unit Manager
6

This page provides information on some of the Housing Executive’s key
activities over the past year in Armagh and across Northern Ireland.
More extensive and detailed information is available on our website or
by writing to the District Manager.
HOUSING STOCK
Across Northern Ireland the Housing Executive
manages 90,188 homes and 1,950 of these are
in the Armagh District.
ALLOCATING HOMES
During the past year we allocated 5,364 homes
in Northern Ireland and of this total, 207 were
in the Armagh District.
HOMELESSNESS
Last year following investigation, 10,433 applicants
were accepted as being statutorily homeless in
Northern Ireland, 122 of them were from the Armagh
District.
HOUSE SALES
Last year a total of 274 tenants bought their homes
from the Housing Executive. See back page for
information on buying your home.
WAITING LIST
In Northern Ireland there are 39,891 applicants
on the waiting list for a home. In the Armagh District
there are 802 applicants.
COMPLAINTS
Last year, in Northern Ireland 366 first stage cases were
investigated by Area Managers and 99 second or final
stage cases were investigated by the Chief Executive.
39 new cases were taken by complainants to the
Ombudsman, where 5 were upheld.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Last year the Housing Executive received 4,667
reports of anti social behaviour and 120 of these
cases were in the Armagh District. Over 30% of these
related to problems with noise. In resolving such
cases, the Housing Executive employs a number of
remedies ranging from early interventions such as use
of warning letters and mediation. In serious cases
we may use our statutory powers to seek injunctions
or carry out eviction.
HOUSING BENEFIT FRAUD
During the past year the Housing Executive
paid out a total of £573.3m in Housing Benefit
in Northern Ireland. Tackling benefit fraud
is high on our agenda and last year we
referred 276 cases to the Benefit
Investigation Service.
RENT ARREARS
At the end of last year the total amount owed in
arrears by all our current tenants in Northern Ireland
was £12.6m which is a fall from the previous year.
REPAIRS
Repairs are the most common reason for tenants to
contact us. Last year we completed 410,018 repairs in
Northern Ireland of which 10,890 were in the Armagh
District.
We put repair requests into three groups according
to urgency:
• Emergency repairs, such as a burst water pipe,
should be completed within one day.
• Urgent repairs, such as loose or missing roof
tiles, should be completed within four working
days.
• Routine repairs, such as leaking gutters,
should be completed within four weeks.
7

The 1970s …
The 1980s …
The 1990s …
The 2000s …

To celeb
rate the 40th Anniversary of the Housing Executive
Housin
g News looks
through the photographic archives …
Take a l
ook at how things have changed over the past 40 years!

Housing
NEWS 2011
BOGUS CALLERS !!
DOOR CHAIN
if you have one, use it
Are you aware of any properties left empty by the tenant?
IDENTITY CARD
a forgotten card is no excuse
Or where the tenant has moved out and rented a dwelling to
other people without the Housing Executive’s permission?
POLICE
call them if you are suspicious
r
Reports of bogus callers tricking their way into
people’s homes are a regular occurrence.
Often the problem arises because people are very
trusting and are willing to accept strangers into
their homes. It is very important to be wary.
Always ask for identification
This could be stopping you or someone you know
from getting a home.
It could also be evidence that benefit fraud
is being committed.
It is in everyone’s interest to stop this happening.
If y ou k n o w of an y address where this has taken place
please contac t an y Housing Ex ec utive offce or t elephone .
FRA UD HO TLINE 0800 854 440
Find out what benefits, pensions or
credits you may be entitled to with the
new Benefits Adviser Service.
Go online and get an estimate anytime, with
complete anonymity, in the comfort of your own
home.
www.nidirect.gov.uk/benefits-adviser
The Benefits Adviser Service caters for people of all ages - including those
with disabilities and those with caring responsibilities - allowing them to
calculate the benefits, pensions or credits to which they may be entitled
with complete anonymity.
You may not realise that you could get extra, even if you are working or
have savings.
The service is free of charge to any individual citizen and/or voluntary
group with internet access. Feedback will be captured to measure the use
of the service and to influence potential future improvements.
Are you moving into employment and need more information on what
additional help and credits may be available? The ‘What If?’ calculator
will be able to advise you on how a change of circumstance will affect
your benefit entitlement and allow you to compare ‘before’ and ‘after’
scenarios.
The Benefits Adviser Service also caters for those without internet access.
Advice and support groups, as well as friends and relatives of those
seeking benefits will now be able to utilise the online service on the
person’s behalf with complete anonymity.
Be sure not to lose out, log on to
the Benefits Adviser Service
now! You might be losing
out on money you
are entitled to!
10

Armagh
Have you insured your house contents?
A house fire, a burst pipe, a burglary,
flooding……..Some of the reasons why you
need to have your possessions insured.
Last winter there were thousands of burst pipes when
temperatures dropped, and unfortunately this led to
many homes having water damage. The vast majority of
our tenants had no insurance cover and subsequently
had to try to replace all the damaged goods themselves.
If you had no house contents insurance and had to
replace all the contents of your home at your own
expense, could you afford to do it? Most of us could not.
Yet for around £1.60 each week, you can be protected.
The Housing Executive maintains your property, but is
NOT responsible for the contents of your home.
Further information on obtaining home insurance is available from your local district offce or just call into a local
insurance broker. Make sure you get several quotes before making a decision. Many will arrange for you to pay weekly or
monthly.
Get your house contents insured without delay.
Many lives have been
saved because of the
use of smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms can either
be battery-operated or
“hard-wired” through the
mains electricity supply.
The following advice
on smoke alarms is very
important regarding
safety in your home:
Do…
IS YOUR SMOKE ALARM WORKING ??
always keep your
smoke alarm turned
on at your meterer
box
Do…
buy a battery alarm
if you haven’t been
provided with a hard
wired alarm, they
only cost a couple of
pounds
TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARM
EVERY WEEK
Do…
test your smoke
alarm weekly
(it is also a good idea
to keep the grill free
from dust so that it
works properly)
Remember that smoke kills more often than the fire itself,
but a smoke alarm can save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
If you have elderly relatives test their smoke alarms for them as often as you can.
11

Housing
NEWS 2011
Keeping a Pet
Pets can be a source of companionship particularly for older people who live alone.
Many people see their pets as an extension of their family and treat them as such.
For children pet ownership can encourage responsibility. For older people pets can
reduce the feelings of loneliness.
However pets require considerable attention and owners need to be aware of their
responsibilities towards other tenants who may not share their love of animals. The
Housing Executive encourages responsible pet ownership and before acquiring one,
tenants should be aware of the conditions set down in their Tenancy Agreement which everyone signs at the
commencement of their tenancy and which is legally enforceable.
If your home is a flat or maisonette the tenancy conditions require tenants not to keep one or more domestic
pets without the consent in writing of their District Manager.
These tenancy conditions are there, not to restrict tenants’ enjoyment of pets, but to ensure that all tenants
can have the quiet enjoyment of their homes. Unfortunately, where responsible pet ownership is not evident
the Housing Executive will have no option but to take appropriate action.
If you would like to discuss any matter relating to pet ownership please contact your local district offce.
Keeping Your Garden Tidy
Tidy Garden
A clean and tidy garden can make your home look better
and be an added space for you to enjoy. Well maintained
gardens can also improve the appearance of your
neighbourhood and discourage graffti and vandalism.
Untidy and overgrown gardens will have the opposite
effect. You don’t have to be an Alan Titmarsh, just keep your
grass cut and free of litter and you will be surprised at the
difference.
It is worth remembering that a condition of every tenancy
agreement, is that all tenants, irrespective of their circumstances,
maintain their dwelling, including the garden, in a clean and tidy
condition. Poorly maintained gardens can blight neighbouring
properties and can easily become a health hazard. That is why the
Housing Executive will take effective action if necessary.
Some district offces run a ‘Best Kept Garden Competitions’ to
encourage and reward households for looking after their gardens
and add to the attractiveness of their neighbourhoods. Furthermore
community groups can enter the ‘Supervalu Best Kept Housing Area
Awards’ which is organised by the NI Amenity Council. The Housing
Executive encourages all tenants and community associations to
enter these competitions to make your neighbourhood one of the
best in the province.
If you would like more information on how to enter these
competitions please contact your local district offce.
Untidy Garden
Older People’s
Advocate
The aim of this offce is to provide a
focus for individual older people and
representative groups to highlight
issues that are of concern.
Dame Joan Harbison
Equality House,
6th Floor,
7-9 Shaftesbury Square,
Belfast BT2 7DP.
Tel: 02890 890 892
Email:
Info@olderpeoplesadvocateni.org
Website:
www.olderpeoplesadvocateni.org
12

Armagh
Beating Anti-Social Behaviour
Everyone is entitled to peace and quiet in their home and
surroundings. If left unchecked, anti-social behaviour can wreck
communities.
Help us to help you. Report all incidents of anti-social behaviour and
we will respond promptly and effectively. The Housing Executive
will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in any form but it can only be
tackled by everyone pulling together. We need your support.
How can I report anti-social
behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour can range
from neighbour nuisance and
noise to harassment, racism
and intimidation. If you have
experienced or witnessed such
a problem, you should report it
immediately to your local Housing
Executive offce. A complaint can
be made by telephone, in writing
or in person. If you are nervous
about making the report, you can
arrange for a public representative,
a police offcer, a social worker,
neighbour or friend to make the
report. We will ensure that your
identity remains anonymous. You
can also bring someone along
for support to a location of your
choosing.
Investigating the report
We will agree a plan of action with
you which will set out how we will
take action to resolve the problem.
We will interview everyone
necessary and if appropriate,
get a police report. We will then,
with your input, agree the most
appropriate approach to your
specific problem.
What is the most appropriate
Form of action?
The Housing Executive received
4,667 reports of anti-social
behaviour last year, with some
87% of these regarded as being
minor problems. Noisy neighbours
continues to be the biggest
problem with 1,405 complaints.
The majority of cases can be
resolved using one or more of the
following remedies:­
• Issue a warning letter
• Mediation
• Joint approach with other
agencies
• Agree an Acceptable Behaviour
Contract
• Secure an Injunction
• Legal action to secure an
eviction
Don’t suffer in silence
If you are a Housing Executive
tenant and you have a specific
complaint about someone causing
a nuisance, please contact us now.
Follow the Housing Executive on
Crimestoppers
- Make your
community safer
Crimestoppers began in 1976 and
now operates worldwide.
The scheme gives people a means
to pass information about crimes
to the police without becoming
involved.
Many criminals would not have
come to the notice of police, had it
not been for the Crimestoppers call.
Some people are uncomfortable
about talking openly to the
police for fear of retribution.
Crimestoppers gives everyone
the opportunity to do something
positive about crime in their area,
without the fear of consequences.
Crimestoppers is a registered
charity. It is not a department of the
police or a government
agency.
Help us Stop Theft
There is a growing problem with
the theft of metal such as copper
and lead and we work closely with
the PSNI to address this problem.
We have had lead stolen from roofs
of bungalows, burners taken from
outside stores as well as copper
tanks removed.
We would ask all our tenants to
watch out for suspicious behaviour,
especially where a home may be
empty, and report it immediately to
the Housing Executive, PSNI or to
the Crimestoppers Phone Line.
We have asked community groups
to be vigilant, but everyone can
help. This type of activity uses up
scarce financial resources which
could be used to improve homes.
13

Housing
NEWS 2011
Northern Ireland Water
(NIW) asks families to
help prevent sewerage
problems
The majority of blockages
are caused by inappropriate
materials being flushed into the
sewerage system. Sewers were
never designed to deal with
anything other than toilet paper.
Other materials can stick to the
inner wall of the sewer or snag on
joints until a blockage is caused
and the sewer floods.
Fats, oils and grease are also
major problems and should be
disposed of into an old container
and then into the bin. If poured
down the drains the fat solidifies
and leads to major problems.
The sewers serve many
properties and by avoiding
flushing these items you will
minimise the possibility of a
blockage or flooding, not only
at your home, but also at your
neighbours.
Examples of items that should
not be flushed are: sanitary
towels, cotton-buds, baby
wipes and make-up wipes.
Even disposable nappies and
underwear are often flushed and
quickly cause blockages. NIW and
the Housing Executive ask you to
“Bag it and Bin it” when dealing
with waste such as this.
Minor
adaptations
14
Putting Good Relations at the
Heart of Housing
The Housing Executive has become the first public sector agency
in Northern Ireland to integrate ‘Good Relations’ into its policies
and procedures through a unique new partnership with the Rural
Development Council and Tides Training. The Housing Executive’s new
Chief Executive John McPeake outlines ‘BRIC’ (Building Relations in
Communities) and what it entails.
Why did the Housing Executive
feel the need to undertake such a
programme?
“The Housing Executive has a
statutory duty to ‘promote good
relations between persons of
different religious belief, political
opinion or racial group and the
promotion of good relations is
a key objective. The Community
Cohesion Unit co-ordinates delivery
of this via our Good Relations
Strategy. The reality is that housing
continues to be deeply divided, with
90% of Housing Executive estates
predominantly single identity.
Despite this, the overwhelming
majority say they would like to live in
mixed communities.”
How does the Housing Executive
currently contribute to enhanced
community cohesion?
“Our Good Relations Strategy
aims to contribute to safer, more
stable neighbourhoods and to
promote a more inclusive society
but recognises that trust and safety
will dictate the pace of change.
It has been encouraging to see
the enthusiasm for good relations
programmes. We will support
communities who wish to make their
communities safe and welcoming
by;
• Facilitating and encouraging
shared housing schemes
• Contributing to good race
relations
• Supporting local communities to
focus on acceptable expressions
of cultural identity
• Bringing communities together
to improve interface areas
through environmental initiatives
and regeneration programmes
• Creating the environment to
allow timely and appropriate
interventions for areas at risk of
conflict.”
How will the new BRIC programme
impact on local communities?
“I believe that this project will put
good relations at the heart of our
policies and service delivery. Good
Relations and conflict management
training is being delivered to over
700 housing staff and ‘BRIC’ will
be rolled out across 80 estates to
support communities in developing
good community relations. I believe
this project will provide a lasting
legacy.”
As a Housing Executive tenant you can apply to have a number of minor adaptations
carried out in your home which do not require referral to an occupational therapist.
These minor adaptations can make a big difference. Some examples are;
• External work, such as handrails, outdoor lighting and paved areas for wheelchairs.
• Internal work, such as a handrail to stairs and additional electric sockets.
• Kitchen and bathroom work, such as lowering of cupboards, controls and switches.
How do you go about this?
Contact your local district offce.
Ask to speak to the minor adaptations link person and explain what type of adaptation
you require. If you are eligible your request will be assessed.
Assessment by a maintenance offcer.
A maintenance offcer may visit your home to see if the work can be done before
delegating the work to a contractor.

Armagh
Prepare for Winter
Help prevent your pipes
from freezing
• Set the central heating to come
on for short periods throughout
the day.
• If you feel you are able to, lift the
trap door slightly from the roof
space to allow warm air to get
into the loft.
• Open the doors to the sink unit
to allow warmer air to circulate
round the pipes.
• If you are away, ask someone to
turn the heating on for a short
time and check for frozen pipes.
Dealing with frozen
pipes
• Turn the water supply off at the
stopcock.
• Protect everything around the
pipe that appears to be frozen to
avoid damage if it bursts.
• Open the tap nearest to the part
of the pipe you think is frozen so
the water can flow through when
it has thawed.
• Thaw the ice in the pipe with
a hot water bottle or hairdryer
(taking care to keep it well away
from any water), beginning from
the tap end and working back
towards the cold water tank.
• Never use a heat gun or blow
torch.
Find your stopcock
The stopcock is used for turning
off and on the cold water system
in your home. When you turn the
stopcock in a clockwise direction
the water supply will be shut off.
Stopcocks are usually found in your
kitchen, below the sink unit.
However in some houses the
stopcock is found in a front or back
hall or in a larder unit. It is important
that you know where the stopcock
is and that it is working.
What should I do if I
have no water?
If your water supply fails, the
problem may be a burst pipe in your
home or there may be a leak in the
mains system outside your home.
If there is cold water at the cold
tap in the kitchen then the mains
supply is working.
If you think it is a mains supply
problem, call NI Water on
08457 440 088 or
email: waterline@niwater.com
If you have a burst pipe
• Turn off the water by turning the
stopcock clockwise.
• Turn on all the cold taps.
• Block the escaping water with
thick cloths like towels.
• If the water has come into
contact with electrical fittings
the electricity should be turned
off at the mains.
• Turn off your gas or oil heating
systems.
• If you have a solid fuel
roomheater or an open fire, let it
go out.
• Ring us ……03448 920 901
for further advice or
report your repair online at
www.nihe.gov.uk
or email our out of hours
emergency services
emergency.services@nihe.gov.uk
Help your neighbour
The cold weather can be a diffcult
time for people who are vulnerable.
If you know someone who is elderly,
has a disability, or is housebound,
check on them and make sure they
are okay. During extreme weather
conditions many older people will
not be able to get out and a visit
may be appreciated.
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Housing
NEWS 2011
Useful Telephone Numbers
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Main Number .................................................. 03448 920 900
Repairs 24 hours ............................................. 03448 920 901
Housing Benefit ............................................. 03448 920 902
Emergency Homeless Service .................... 028 3833 4444
Grants Offce/Area Offce............................. 03448 920 900
Water Service
Faults/Emergency Service ........................... 08457 440088
Craigavon Area Hospital .............................. 082 3833 4444
Childline ............................................................. 0800 1111
Armagh Police Station .................................. 0845 600 8000
Citizens Advice Bureau ................................. 028 3752 4041
Armagh City & District Council .................. 028 3752 9600
Northern Ireland Electricity
Emergency Service ........................................ 08457 643643
Rates Collection Agency .............................. 028 9025 2525
Women’s Aid 24 Hour Helpline .................. 028 9033 1818
Translink ............................................................. 028 3752 2266
Consumer Council .......................................... 0845 601 6022
You Can Still Buy Your Home
For Housing Executive tenants with more than 5 years tenancy, now may be the time to buy your home.
Housing Executive property values have decreased on average by 47% over the past three years to just below
£60,000. Maximum discount remains at £24,000. There are various companies who will offer to manage this
process for you. They are totally unnecessary and will only add significantly to your costs. Contact your District
Offce for advice and further details.
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