Rural Review

ural 

homes and people 

Rural Review 

Annual Progress Report on the Implementation 

of the Housing Executive Rural Action Plan

Rural Review Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the Housing Executive Rural Action Plan 

Foreword 

We are delighted to present the “Rural Homes and People” Annual 

Report for 2010/11. In November 2009, we published our Rural 

Action Plan which set out what we hoped to do across rural 

Northern Ireland. This Annual Progress Report outlines the work 

we have carried out so far. 

While there are some areas where to date, we have not been able to achieve all that we 

would want, there is much to be pleased about in the report - not least the achievement 

of 302 rural social new build starts. This is the highest number recorded in the last 

10 years, far surpassing the previous highest return (185 units in 2009/10). The figure 

represents 12.5% of all starts and is therefore in line with the target for rural new build 

delivery. Considerable efforts were made across the Housing Executive to promote rural 

new build generally - guidelines were established and monitored to ensure a fair share 

for rural areas and continuous liaison took place to avoid delays and progress schemes. 

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work put in to achieve 

this goal not only by Housing Executive staff but also in the Housing Associations not 

to mention the community who work alongside their statutory partners to make these 

schemes a reality. 

The community theme continues in many of the other achievements detailed in the 

report with many actions being made possible due to their commitment including: 

• Work with Rural Community Network and the Rural Residents’ Forum 

• Building on our links with the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster - a housing guide for 

rural young people was launched in August followed more recently by a joint event 

promoting renewable energy options and energy conservation. 

• Monitoring how our services are rolled out in rural areas with the most recent survey 

showing that 94% of rural tenants expressed satisfaction with the service provided by 

the Housing Executive. 

Stewart Cuddy 

Chief Executive (Acting) 

Brian Rowntree 

Chairman 

We continue to be faced with the challenge of the recession and its impact on public 

finances. We realise that tough decisions may need to be made in the coming year; 

however, in spite of this we continue to keep the needs of people at the heart of the 

decision making process and can hopefully continue to build stronger, more vibrant 

and sustainable rural areas, with the ongoing support of our District and Area staff, 

other agencies and communities across rural Northern Ireland. 

3


Cover photograph: 

Rural Fermanagh. 

What do we mean by ‘rural’? 

Where can I find out more? 

The Rural Action Plan concerns settlements with a 

population of less than 4,500 which accounts for 35% 

of the overall population. This definition is in line with 

that used by the Department of Agriculture and Rural 

Development. 

For further information on any aspect of the ‘Rural Homes 

and People’ policy, please contact Michael Conway, 

Rural Housing Co-ordinator at 028 90318559 or by email 

michael.conway@nihe.gov.uk 

What is ‘Rural Homes and People’? 

‘Rural Homes and People’ is the name of the Housing 

Executive’s current rural housing policy. The Housing 

Executive first adopted a specific rural policy in 1991 

recognising that rural housing issues often require 

different approaches and solutions to those which 

operate in urban areas. The ‘Rural Homes and People’ 

policy runs until 2012/13 and followed extensive 

consultation undertaken in late 2006. A 3-year Rural 

Action Plan was launched in November 2009 and a 

report is published annually setting out progress made in 

delivering the published actions. 

What are the main topics covered? 

There are five main themes in the ‘Rural Homes and 

People’ policy: 

• enabling new homes 

• improving existing properties 

• building and serving communities 

• supporting independent living 

• contributing to rural development and 

regeneration 

The Action Plan includes sections on each of these 

themes explaining them in more detail. 

4

1. Enabling New Homes 

• Background: 


This concerns how housing need is assessed 

– this leads to decisions on where new housing is required. 

It also involves ways to help ensure that new social and 

affordable housing is built in rural areas. 

What we set out to do between 

2009/10 and 2012/13 

1.1 Identify rural housing need and try out new 

ways of checking need in rural areas. 

1.2 Undertake exercises to assess latent or hidden 

need in at least 30 rural areas (over a three year 

period) particularly those where development 

opportunities may exist. 

1.3 Make sure that the Social Housing 

Development Programme includes sufficient 

schemes to allow rural targets to be met. 

What’s been done to date? 

At the end of March 2011, there were 5,618 households on the housing waiting list seeking homes in rural areas. 

Of these, 2,571 were in ‘housing stress’ representing just over 12% of all those in housing stress on the waiting list; 

those in housing stress are viewed as being in more pressing need of housing. (Appendix 1A: housing waiting list graph - 

page 10) 

In order to help people to apply for housing, we now allow applicants to register their interest and have their 

needs assessed by phone. During the year, we also tried out the idea of a ‘housing surgery’ where we visited a local 

community venue (in Mayobridge, Co. Down) and assisted local people to register for housing. We will consider doing 

more of these in the incoming year and will also target some existing waiting lists to see if applicants may be interested 

in living in nearby rural settlements. 

We are on schedule to deliver a minimum of 30 test exercises as proposed. During 2009/10, nine of these rural 

housing need tests were completed and led to identification of need in four areas - Lislea, Dungiven, Gulladuff and 

Swatragh. Last year, a further 11 tests were undertaken and as a result, need has been confirmed in six settlements – 

Stewartstown (Cookstown), Tobermore (Magherafelt), Clogher (Dungannon), Bleary (Craigavon), Mayobridge (Newry 

and Mourne) and Straidarran (Waterside); no need was identified in Aghadrumsee, Corraney (both Fermanagh), 

Ravernette and St. James (both Lisburn). The result of the remaining test - in Carnlough (Larne) – is currently being 

considered to determine if more new housing may be required. It is intended to undertake further rural need tests in at 

least ten other rural locations during 2011/12. 

Each year in conjunction with the Department for Social Development, a Social Housing Development Programme 

(SHDP) is published setting out what new build schemes can be taken forward by housing associations. It is important 

that rural areas get their fair share of any new housing. To help ensure this happens, we set ‘Strategic Guidelines’ which 

establish the amount of housing that should be provided in rural areas; this is based on the proportion of housing 

need for rural areas. Last year we determined that 231 units were required and included sufficient opportunities in the 

SHDP to allow this target to be met (see 1.5). 

5



2009/10 and 2012/13 

1.4 Publish details of rural schemes in the Social 

Housing Development Programme and 

highlight any areas where a need for rural 

housing has been identified. 

1.5 Continue to monitor the rural share of the new 

build programme and highlight to housing 

associations the importance of providing rural 

housing and where possible assist them to 

deliver rural schemes. 


The SHDP contains details of areas of housing need where housing associations had identified sites for development. 

As well as publishing rural schemes in the SHDP, we also wanted to ensure that housing associations were aware of 

rural areas where need exists but where no sites had yet been identified. This was achieved primarily through the on 

line ‘Prospectus of Unmet Need’ which directs housing associations to areas where housing is required. This Prospectus 

specifically identifies around 60 rural locations of greatest need where the Housing Executive would welcome suitable 

proposals for housing association development. 

During 2010/11, considerable efforts were made to promote rural new build generally - guidelines were monitored to ensure 

a fair share for rural areas; a seminar was held for housing associations in September 2010 to emphasise the importance of 

rural delivery; continuous liaison also took place with housing associations to minimise delays and progress schemes. 

The result was that at 31 March 2011, new build starts were achieved on 302 units in rural areas. This is the highest rural 

outturn in at least ten years, far surpassing the previous highest return (185 units in 2009/10). The figure represents 12.5% of all 

starts and is therefore in line with the target for rural new build delivery. (Ref: table, map and graphs on pages 8 ,9 &10) 

1.6 Investigate places where Planning Policy 

Statement 21 (PPS21) might allow social and 

affordable housing. 

1.7 In selected pilot areas where sites become 

available that are slightly bigger than required, 

support development of the whole site to allow 

for likely hidden need. 

1.8 Examine the potential for new rural housing 

initiatives including: 

a) Exploring the possibilities for Community Self 

Build in rural areas including links to Habitat for 

Humanity; 

b) Considering whether to promote rural 

mixed tenure schemes in light of the changing 

housing market; 

In certain circumstances, PPS21 allows planning permission for up to 14 units of new social and affordable 

housing in rural areas outside designated settlement limits. During 2010/11, the Housing Executive has supported 

housing associations applications under PPS21 for social housing in the following rural locations: Raholp (Down), 

Ballygowan (Ards), Swatragh (Magherafelt), Cushendall (Moyle) and Castlerock (Coleraine). In addition, we have 

agreed arrangements with the Planning Service for processing PPS21 applications and provided training to housing 

associations on these. The Housing Executive are currently examining the potential to take forward new PPS21 

applications using this protocol in four pilot locations – Templepatrick (Antrim), Charlemont (Armagh), Derrytrasna 

(Craigavon) and Killinchy (Ards). Through use of these PPS21 measures, it is anticipated that new homes can be 

provided to meet needs in areas where it had previously been difficult to provide social and affordable housing – thus 

helping to house those in need and support the development of balanced and sustainable rural communities. 

This proposal emerged from experience which suggested that rural waiting lists can increase when building starts and 

more houses may therefore be required than initially anticipated. Based on our understanding of the local housing 

market and the likelihood of emerging housing need, pilot sites were chosen in Carnlough (Larne), Broughshane 

(Ballymena) and Derrymacash (Craigavon). Both the Broughshane and Carnlough schemes went on site in March 2010 

and are nearing completion. The waiting list has been monitored over time and in both instances, it has grown as 

anticipated. The Derrymacash scheme has just started and will be monitored in the year ahead as building progresses. 

There is a strong tradition of private self build in rural areas and we have been exploring the possibilities for Community 

Self Build including links with Habitat for Humanity who have experience of urban self build. As a result, a Housing 

Executive owned site was identified (in Gulladuff, Magherafelt) and discussions are ongoing with Habitat with a view to 

progressing this initiative. 

Prior to the development of the Rural Action Plan, when housing affordability was a major problem, work had 

commenced on identifying potential sites for rural mixed tenure development with land assets in Annaclone 

(Banbridge) and Clady (Strabane) being considered for this. As a result of the changes in the housing market, it was 

subsequently decided not to proceed with mixed tenure development on the Annaclone and Clady sites. 

6


1.8 

contd 


2009/10 and 2012/13 

c) Checking progress on Community Land Trust 

initiatives elsewhere in U.K; 


Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are not-for-profit community controlled organisations that acquire and develop assets 

on behalf of the community and for its benefit. They aim to take land out of the market in perpetuity by separating 

ownership of land from ownership of the buildings and activities on it (e.g. community own the land while individuals 

own the houses on it). We are currently seeking legal opinion from Senior Counsel on the feasibility of CLTs in Northern 

Ireland and are also monitoring progress of CLT schemes elsewhere in the U.K. 

d) Monitoring progress of the existing urban – 

based ‘Private Partnering’ initiative (which links 

those in housing need with private sector lets) 

to decide if viable in a rural area; 

The Private Partnering scheme was trialled in urban areas with the intention of facilitating private rented sector 

landlords to offer housing to waiting list applicants. One of the lessons learnt from the pilot was that a rent guarantee 

scheme would be of value in order to encourage landlord participation. Arising from the pilot therefore, the potential 

for a NI Rent Guarantee scheme is now being examined; as part of this examination, steps will be taken to ensure the 

rural dimension is taken into account. 

e) Possible development of a Rural Housing 

Enabler service subject to funding being 

identified. 

1.9 Research and gather information on rural issues 

including: 

a) Examining trends concerning the social 

housing requirements of wheelchair users in 

rural areas; 

b) Undertaking studies of the housing market 

in particular rural areas. 

Rural Housing Enablers (RHE) operate elsewhere in the UK and their role is to work with rural communities providing 

independent advice and support to help them through the process of providing social and affordable housing. Given 

the current financial climate, funding has not been identified to develop a specific RHE service in Northern Ireland. 

It should be noted however that in effect, a form of enabling service is being operated by the Housing Executive 

through: its roll out of rural latent need surveys; planning and feasibility work on site identification; subsequent 

discussions where required with Planning Service and liaison with housing associations on rural new build. Work such 

as this has enabled the delivery of 302 new build starts in rural areas during 2010/11 as highlighted in 1.5 opposite. 

Improved data sources and reporting systems have begun to assist in the assessment of need for wheelchair 

housing. A sub-set of wheelchair applicants’ information is now taken into consideration as part of the annual Housing 

Needs Assessments for each District across Northern Ireland. Over time, trends can be built up showing the location of 

need and allocations for this type of accommodation. The need for wheelchair housing can then be considered in new 

build social housing schemes where such need has been demonstrated in housing need assessments (though it should 

be noted that this will be subject to location, design and other constraints of scheme locations). 

During 2010/11, work has commenced on producing profiles of local housing markets in Moneymore (Cookstown) and 

in the rural hinterland of Downpatrick (Down). 

We have also followed up on the Housing Market Profile of Rathlin Island undertaken in 2009/10. In particular, we have 

set up meetings between housing associations and the Rathlin Island Development and Community Association to 

assist with identifying sites for social and affordable housing on the island. In January 2011, along with the Department 

for Social Development, we participated in an Information Day to ensure islanders were updated on work being 

undertaken to help address their housing concerns. 

7

APPENDIX 1B 


8


Location of 2010/11 Rural Starts 

Ref Housing Association Address Units 

1 Clanmil McBriar Meadows, Main Street, Carrowdore 4 

2 Ulidia Woodside Road, Loughbrickland 24 

3 Clanmil Abbey Row, Main Street, Greyabbey 3 

4 Ulidia The Moorings, Killyleagh 16 

5 Apex Tobermore Road, Draperstown Phase 2 17 

6 Clanmil Castle Meadows, Cloughey 1 

7 Rural Adrian Heights, Donagh 5 

8 Rural Rural Acquisitions Fermanagh 2 

9 Oaklee Fedorna Heights, Poyntzpass 5 

10 Apex Workspace, Tobermore Road, Draperstown 6 

11 Apex Ballycanice Close, Eglinton 4 

12 Clanmil Templepatrick Library Site 2 

13 Oaklee Loughrey Terrace, Drumquin 2 

14 Apex Derry Acquisitions Phase 2 1 

15 Ulidia Ardmore Drive, Hilltown 8 

16 Apex Westbank Phase 18D 3 

17 Ulidia PSNI Site, Main Street, Middletown 12 

18 Apex Moss Road, Millisle 10 

19 Apex Granville Primary School, Derryveen, Dungannon 8 

20 Oaklee PSNI Station Melmount Road, Sion Mills 6 

21 Apex Gorton Crescent Dunganon 2 

22 Apex Apex Housing Rural Cottages Phase 8 4 

23 Apex PSNI Site, Cullion Road, Tempo 4 

24 Apex Orchard Park, Aughnacloy 15 

25 Apex PSNI Site, 48 Main Street, Lisbellaw 12 

26 Apex Davison Villas, Castledawson 1 

27 Ark Crew Hill Gardens, Ardglass 26 

28 Clanmil Derrymacash, Craigavon 14 

29 Clanmil Ringbouy Cove, Cloughey 2 

30 Habinteg Drumaness Road, Drumaness 12 

31 Helm Newtowncloghogue 22 

32 North & West Darkfort Drive, Phase 1, Portballintrae 6 

33 North & West Garvaghy Crescent, Phase 1, Portglenone 16 

34 Oaklee Gullion View, Meigh 10 

35 Rural Eglish Road, Eglish, Armagh 6 

36 Rural Forthill Park, Newtownstewart 4 

37 Rural Church Avenue, Kircubbin 7 

Total Rural Starts 1 April 2010 – 31 Mar 2011 37 Schemes 302 Units 

Location of 2010/11 Rural Completions 

Ref Housing Association Address Units 

1 Rural Abbey View Maguiresbridge 1 

2 Apex Housing Ballycanice Close, Eglinton 4 

3 Fold Phase 4 Crossmaglen 18 

4 South Ulster PSNI site Moy 5 

5 Hearth Re-improvement, Glenarm 13 

6 South Ulster Gilford 1 

7 Apex Housing Tobermore Road, Draperstown, Phase 2 17 

8 Oaklee Fedorna Heights, Poyntzpass 5 

9 Rural Eglish Road, Eglish, Armagh 6 

10 Fold The Square, Clough 8 

11 Oaklee PSNI Site, Newcastle Road, Castlewellan 6 

12 Rural Crevenish Park Kesh 1 

13 Helm Main Street, Crumlin 5 

14 Apex Housing Workspace, Tobermore Road, Draperstown 6 

Total Rural Completions 1 April 2010 – 31 Mar 2011 

12 Schemes 96 Units 

( Ref 1 and 12 same scheme; Ref 4 and 6 same scheme) 

9


APPENDIX 1A: RURAL STARTS 

Rural Housing Starts as % of all Starts 

14 

12 

10 

% 8 

6 

4 

2 

Series 1 

0 

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 

Year 

HOUSING WAITING LISTS FOR RURAL AREAS 

No. of Housing Applicants for Rural Areas 

7000 

6000 

5000 

4000 

3000 

2000 

1000 

Housing waiting lists for rural areas 

(Series 1: All applicants Series 2: Applicants in Housing Stress) 

Series 1 

Series 2 

0 

Mar 08 Sep 08 Mar 09 Sep 09 Mar 10 Sep 10 Mar 11 

10


2.0 Improving Existing Properties 

covers actions involving: 

• the improvement of housing conditions for example through 

the grants system; 

• the promotion of energy efficiency in rural areas. 

2.1 

2.2 

2.3 


2009/10 and 2012/13 

As part of the overall Housing Executive Grants 

Strategy, review Replacement Grant policy. 

Evaluate the Living Over The Shops (LOTS) 

scheme in four pilot rural areas. 

Target home improvement measures in 

identified Rural Priority Areas. 


It was made clear in our published Rural Action Plan that a number of planned actions could only proceed if funding 

became available during the three year timescale of the Plan. These three planned actions (2.1-2.3) have not been 

able to proceed due to funding shortfalls. Rural Priority Areas are not in operation at present and Replacement Grants 

are only possible in exceptional cases; similarly our work on the ‘Living Over the Shops’ scheme has been curtailed for 

budgetary reasons. 

2.4 Continue to participate in and support the 

Western Investing for Health (IFH) project on 

‘Maximising Access to Services for Older People’. 

2.5 Continue to roll out the Houses in Multiple 

Occupation (HMO) registration scheme 

particularly targeting those District Councils 

with significant rural areas. 

The Western IFH project (which was part funded by the Housing Executive) demonstrated the practical benefits of 

the public sector working closely with the community sector to assist vulnerable rural households. Following its 

completion, a regional programme was developed to implement this approach across Northern Ireland. The Housing 

Executive sits on the Advisory/Steering Groups overseeing the regional project which has been rolled out by the Public 

Health Agency and funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. It has led to visits to over 4,000 

rural dwellers across Northern Ireland. These visits identify what households may be entitled to and provide help with 

accessing benefits, grants and local services. 

During 2010/11, we have continued to highlight the requirement for owners of HMOs to register their properties under 

the statutory registration scheme. At 31 March 2011, 62 rural properties registered under the registration scheme, 

compared to 50 at the same stage last year. Efforts will continue to identify rural HMOs and enforce statutory HMO 

requirements in the year ahead. 

2.6 Implement a rural-urban monitor in the new 

Warm Homes Scheme and similar energy 

programmes. 

The Warm Homes scheme offers a range of insulation measures to home owners and private tenants (receiving certain 

‘qualifying benefits’) and is designed to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. In order to ensure that rural 

dwellers receive an appropriate share of scheme installations, a regular monitor has been established which shows that 

during 2010/11, there were almost 1,650 Warm Homes installations in rural areas (i.e. 40% of all installations). 

11



2009/10 and 2012/13 

2.7 Where appropriate, test new and emerging 

energy technologies in rural areas. 

2.8 Promote the use of biomass heating and 

in particular, projects involving wood fuels 

produced locally in Northern Ireland. 

2.9 Consider any new and cost effective solutions 

to solid wall insulation as these affect rural areas 

in particular. 

2.10 Continue to provide insulation and heating 

programmes where required in Housing 

Executive stock. 


During 2010/11, we considered a number of villages for a potential biomass scheme but this did not prove viable, as 

insufficient dwellings in the proposed areas were in need of new heating systems. We have however been successful 

with a funding application to the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme and with this funding award, plan 

to provide wood pellet boilers to a number of houses in the Magherafelt District in the incoming year. We are also 

exploring the possibility of installing a further number of boilers in the Ards area. 

During 2010/11, we helped co-fund (along with NIE Energy) a solid wall insulation cash back scheme. However, despite 

some initial interest, take up has generally been low. 

Where needed, we have continued to carry out energy efficiency upgrades as part of maintenance schemes being 

carried out in Housing Executive homes. We have commenced a review of our heating policy. This will include 

examination of rural issues – it is recognised that rural areas are currently largely reliant on oil heating and the review 

will consider if lower cost alternatives might be feasible in Housing Executive homes. 

12


3.0 Building and Serving Communities 

covers issues relating to: 

• Rural Residents involvement and Community Associations; 

• Community safety and Shared Future Housing. 


2009/10 and 2012/13 

3.1 Work with the Rural Residents Forum whose 

role is to highlight housing issues and concerns 

affecting rural communities. 

3.2 Roll out the “Village Voice” initiative to 

encourage the representation of small rural 

estates with no community groups. 

3.3 Work with Supporting Communities (NI) to 

monitor and report on the involvement of rural 

community groups in the Housing Community 

Network. 


The Rural Residents Forum which serves as a ‘sounding board’ for the Housing Executive on rural matters, has met five 

times since April 2010. As well as reviewing the literature used in latent testing, the Forum has considered matters 

including the neighbourhood warden service, community planning, rural homelessness, energy efficiency and rural 

proofing. Two representatives of the Rural Residents Forum also sit on the Central Housing Community Network which 

is the central residents forum advising on Housing Executive policies and procedures. 

The Village Voice initiative allows smaller estates with no formal tenants/community groups to liaise with local 

Housing Executive offices through community volunteers. The two pilot areas are Upperlands (1 volunteer rep) and 

Newtownbutler (2 volunteer reps). Those involved attend their local District Office Housing Community Network 

meetings and report back to their communities. It is intended to roll out this “Village Voice” initiative to other rural 

locations with no community groups in the year ahead. During 2010/11, we also developed a Tenant Involvement 

Register to further allow input from local residents on our activities. There are 300 tenants on the register, 52 of which 

are from rural areas (17%) – broadly proportionate to the level of rural housing owned by the Housing Executive. 

We regularly monitor participation in the Housing Community Network (HCN) to ensure that there is sufficient rural 

representation. This is important as the HCN is a key mechanism for listening to residents’ views on local services. 

Around 15% of Housing Executive properties are in rural areas and the most recent monitor shows that just over 19% of 

HCN members represent rural areas. 

3.4 Develop and implement Housing and 

Education initiatives including a Social 

Enterprise Award in rural locations. 

The Community Education and Partnership award is offered for projects linking schools and colleges with groups on 

Housing Executive estates. Details of the award have been circulated to schools and community groups and will be 

further highlighted through our ‘Rural Matters’ magazine and other publications. 

13



2009/10 and 2012/13 

3.5 Produce information and advice on housing 

options for young people. 

3.6 Explore and develop further opportunities for 

rural groups involved with the HCN to develop 

their understanding of media literacy through 

digital inclusion training. 

3.7 Examine further opportunities in rural areas to 

develop Shared Future Housing Schemes. 

3.8 Explore with District Councils opportunities for 

partnering arrangements for wardens in rural 

areas. 

3.9 Undertake an exercise in selected Districts 

to examine the type of anti-social behaviour 

reported in rural locations. 

3.10 Continue to monitor the views of rural tenants 

on the services provided to them by the 

Housing Executive. 


In November 2010, Greenmount Agricultural College was the venue for the launch of a housing guide for young 

people in rural areas. This was developed with and distributed through YFCU (Young Farmers Clubs). In addition, we 

also organised a seminar in March 2011 at Loughrey College on renewable energy for Young Farmers Club members. 

We have also produced an information booklet – ‘One Foot in the Door’ aimed at young people across Northern 

Ireland and hope to follow this up with a DVD on housing issues for young people. 

213 mini websites have been provided to community groups across Northern Ireland - this includes 43 rural groups. 11 

rural groups were also provided with computers in July 2010. 

Following the development of the first rural ‘Shared Future’ housing scheme in Sion Mills in 2009, construction is 

now underway on a second rural scheme at Loughbrickland (Banbridge). In addition, the Shared Neighbourhood 

Programme is currently being delivered in Claudy, Castledawson, Sion Mills, Armoy, Fivemiletown and Killyleagh. 

2010/11 also saw the start of the B.R.I.C (Building Relationships in Communities) programme; this is an initiative 

designed to encourage greater levels of social integration within Northern Ireland’s housing sector. It is run with 

assistance from the EU’s PEACE III programme and is delivered by the Rural Development Council, the Northern Ireland 

Housing Executive and the training consultancy TIDES. Work has started to identify 80 areas for activity under the 

programme; it is important that our work on community cohesion is targeted in rural as well as urban areas and we 

will ensure that rural locations are identified in the B.R.I.C. selection. 

Unfortunately, action on 3.8 has had to be been put on hold due to budget constraints. We have analysed current 

Neighbourhood Officer provision - of 67 Officers, 34 (51%) work exclusively in urban areas; 32(48%) work in both urban 

and rural areas and 1 works exclusively in rural areas. 

This exercise was proposed in order to determine if a different approach was required to anti-social behaviour in rural 

areas. An analysis was therefore undertaken in Ballymena and Cookstown Districts and this showed no distinctive 

urban-rural difference in the nature of anti-social behaviour. 

Most recent statistics from our ongoing tenant satisfaction survey shows that 94% of rural tenants were satisfied with 

services provided by the Housing Executive. 

14


4.0 Supporting Independent Living 

includes: 

• The ‘Supporting People’ programme which assists with the 

support needs of vulnerable people; 

• Dealing with rural homelessness. 


2009/10 and 2012/13 

4.1 In selected rural area(s), develop community – 

based housing support services (possibly linked 

to domiciliary care) to assist older people to 

remain in their homes. 

4.2 Create greater awareness of housing support 

services amongst the rural community and 

voluntary sector to assist in identifying capacity 

and options for delivering services. 

4.3 Review the work of Home Improvement Agencies 

who provide ‘care and repair’ services in rural areas. 

4.4 Investigate possibilities for remodelling some 

existing rural sheltered accommodation. 

4.5 Map and monitor single-let accommodation 

used for homeless temporary accommodation 

with a view to providing appropriate support 

services to occupants. 

4.6 Take account of rural temporary 

accommodation needs in reviewing our Area 

Homelessness Action Plans on an annual basis. 

4.7 Review District Information Packs (for those 

homeless or threatened with homelessness in 

rural locations). 


A scheme providing services for older people has recently commenced in the Western Health and Social Care Trust 

area and it is hoped to roll this into the rural hinterland of Londonderry. A number of existing floating support services 

have also been restructured to provide greater coverage in rural areas. 

This will be addressed in 2011/12 through inclusion of rural awareness in the Supporting People communications 

strategy, e.g., the Supporting People newsletter ‘Spotlight’ has been distributed to a wider circulation list and will 

feature articles on access to service in rural areas. 

Research on this is due to be commissioned during summer 2011. Work is underway with the 5 Health and Social Care 

Trusts regarding the development of the Enablement Strategies and the opportunities to connect housing support services 

including Home Improvement Agencies with the work that Health and Social Care Trusts are doing around older people. 

This action was proposed as some rural sheltered schemes have comparatively higher levels of under-occupation. 

In the past year, consideration has been given to restructuring one such scheme in Portaferry – options have been 

identified and will be taken forward subject to funding being available in 2011/12. 

The completed results of the mapping exercise will be available in summer 2011. This will help to identify possible gaps 

in provision where the potential for floating support services can be further explored. Any resultant action can then be 

taken forward following the current review of the Housing Executive’s Homelessness Strategy. 

Area Homelessness Action Plans are currently being developed and Housing Executive Area Homeless Officers have been 

asked to take rural issues into consideration as part of this process; this would include where appropriate, the provision of 

temporary accommodation and the further development of floating support services for vulnerable households. 

Work has begun to review these rural information packs in order to ensure that information is up to date and that an 

adequate supply is available for distribution in rural communities. In addition, it is recognised that access to information 

on homelessness can be more difficult in rural areas. To assist in overcoming this, the Housing Executive funds the 

Housing Rights Service to provide a comprehensive on line information and advice service on all aspects of housing 

(Housing Advice Northern Ireland). The site is kept under continual review. 

15


5.0 Rural Development and 

Regeneration includes: 

• Partnership working to link housing and rural development 

issues including work which may arise from the 

Rural Development Programme; 

• The Housing Executive input into the Rural White Paper and 

the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s 

Rural Champion proposals. 


2009/10 and 2012/13 

5.1 Contribute to the development of a Rural White 

Paper. 


Following our involvement in the initial stakeholder groups in 2009/10, we have welcomed the publication of the 

draft Rural White Paper Action Plan. This was issued for public consultation by the Department of Agriculture and Rural 

Development (DARD) at the end of March 2011. We have responded to the consultation; when the Plan is finalised, we 

will be keen to avail of any opportunities it creates for us to ensure that the work we do in rural areas contributes to 

broader rural regeneration. 

5.2 Where appropriate, assist in the roll-out of 

the Rural Development Programme (RDP), for 

example by publicising funding opportunities 

to rural groups involved in the Housing 

Community Network. 

5.3 Develop a database of local rural regeneration 

initiatives. 

5.4 Continue to support Areas at Risk Programme in 

3 Rural Areas. 

5.5 Examine potential for land transfers to Councils 

for play areas in rural areas. 

Funding opportunities under the RDP have been highlighted to groups through Housing Community Network as well 

as through our Rural Matters publication. 

Work has commenced on this and will be completed during 2011/12. 

Our local District Offices continue their involvement with the steering groups that manage this programme – three 

rural areas are included in the DSD Areas at Risk programme - Fintona, Gilford and Lettershandoney. 

Action 5.5 has been put on hold pending a review of the overall policy for transferring sites. 

16



2009/10 and 2012/13 

5.6 Seek to support DARD’s Village Renewal 

programme. 


We have made contact with all the seven Local Action Groups who are implementing the Village Renewal programme 

on behalf of DARD. These are currently working through a process of selecting villages and providing funding for 

the production of village plans. Should housing issues or related projects be identified in these village plans, we will 

examine how they might be addressed. 

5.7 Continue to monitor physical and social 

conditions in our rural estates and responding 

as required through our estate-based strategy 

programme. 

There are currently no rural estate-based strategies, but we will continue to review the need for these in conjunction 

with our local District Managers. 

5.8 Continue to promote and participate in 

inter-agency partnerships in rural areas. 

Our District Managers and staff continue to be involved in a wide range of partnerships at local level; these include 

various inter- agency initiatives covering housing–related issues such as community safety, health and the Supporting 

People programme. 

17


6.0 Other Issues involve: 

• Actions which cut across all the other five themes including 

how we communicate and monitor our activities in rural areas. 


2009/10 and 2012/13? 

6.1 Review our approach to ‘rural proofing’ to 

take account of new thinking and training 

currently being developed by DARD as part of 

‘Rural Champion’ proposals agreed by the N.I. 

Executive. 


During 2010/11, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) ran training courses on ‘rural proofing’ 

for central Government Departments. Some of our staff attended this training and are now working with DARD to 

develop similar training for staff across the Housing Executive; this training will be provided to Housing Executive staff 

during 2011/12. 

6.2 Provide analysis of information split on a rural 

urban basis. 

6.3 Create awareness in rural areas of the activities 

and services provided by the Housing Executive 

(and where appropriate housing associations) to 

rural residents. 

6.4 Ensure that at least one Housing Executive 

research project each year has a specific rural 

focus. 

Throughout this report, we have provided an analysis of our work in rural areas and have included specific rural data 

on e.g. waiting lists (1.1), new build (1.5) Warm Homes (2.6) and tenant satisfaction (3.3). We regularly undertake such 

analysis to help ensure that rural areas receive appropriate emphasis in the work that we do. 

As well as articles in local press and rural publications, we produce our own rural housing magazine – ‘Rural Matters’ 

twice a year and circulate it to public representatives and community groups across rural Northern Ireland. 

We have identified the need for research into the cost of building social housing in rural areas and have now agreed 

the methodology for this research which will be carried out during 2011/12. 

18

ural 

homes and people 

June 2011 

www.nihe.gov.uk 

This document is available in alternative formats. Contact: Rural Housing Unit 028 90 318559 

CS/635/06/11

Rural Review

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