Menu
13/09/2010
Landmark Co-Ownership Deal Welcomed
The Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has welcomed a landmark 21,000th home purchased through the Co-Ownership housing scheme.
The house is in Antrim, and belongs to young family Claire Scott and Richard Young, with daughter Katie.
Welcoming them to their new home, Social Development Minister Alex Attwood said: "Co-ownership provides a key service for those who cannot buy their homes outright. The Young family are a prime example of that. Through the Co-Ownership scheme, government and the private sector are successfully providing affordable housing to many more people who want a base from which to build their future.
"It is crucial that there is a 22,000 owner and 23,000 owner and so on and so forth. I feel there is a serious - potentially catastrophic - scenario if housing is not funded properly. I will be doing everything in my power to convince my Executive colleagues of that when it comes to the capital budget for 2011-15.
"But at the same time, we must look at our own costs, overheads, salary levels and remuneration packages, every penny and pound we spend in DSD, in the NIHE housing associations and across the hundreds of organisations in receipt of monies," he said.
Claire and Ricky commented: "We didn't think we could own a home, especially at the moment when it is so difficult to get a mortgage but everything went through quickly and very smoothly. We got the first house we had our eye on and the garden's a great size for Katie to play in."
Alan Crowe, Chief Executive of Co-Ownership Housing added: "Ricky and Claire applied to Co-Ownership at the beginning of March. Everything was sorted inside three weeks and they then fixed their moving date for the end of May," he continued.
"The 21,000th Co-Ownership home is a major achievement for all concerned and proves that, no matter what is happening in the housing market, Co-Ownership can help people into the property of their choice."
Co-Ownership offers a free, confidential information service. Contact Co-Ownership Housing direct on freephone 0800 333644 or www.co-ownership.org.
(GK/BMcC)
The house is in Antrim, and belongs to young family Claire Scott and Richard Young, with daughter Katie.
Welcoming them to their new home, Social Development Minister Alex Attwood said: "Co-ownership provides a key service for those who cannot buy their homes outright. The Young family are a prime example of that. Through the Co-Ownership scheme, government and the private sector are successfully providing affordable housing to many more people who want a base from which to build their future.
"It is crucial that there is a 22,000 owner and 23,000 owner and so on and so forth. I feel there is a serious - potentially catastrophic - scenario if housing is not funded properly. I will be doing everything in my power to convince my Executive colleagues of that when it comes to the capital budget for 2011-15.
"But at the same time, we must look at our own costs, overheads, salary levels and remuneration packages, every penny and pound we spend in DSD, in the NIHE housing associations and across the hundreds of organisations in receipt of monies," he said.
Claire and Ricky commented: "We didn't think we could own a home, especially at the moment when it is so difficult to get a mortgage but everything went through quickly and very smoothly. We got the first house we had our eye on and the garden's a great size for Katie to play in."
Alan Crowe, Chief Executive of Co-Ownership Housing added: "Ricky and Claire applied to Co-Ownership at the beginning of March. Everything was sorted inside three weeks and they then fixed their moving date for the end of May," he continued.
"The 21,000th Co-Ownership home is a major achievement for all concerned and proves that, no matter what is happening in the housing market, Co-Ownership can help people into the property of their choice."
Co-Ownership offers a free, confidential information service. Contact Co-Ownership Housing direct on freephone 0800 333644 or www.co-ownership.org.
(GK/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 October 2011
NI Social Housing Secures £65m Boost
Social housing in Northern Ireland is set to benefit from a £65m boost as a result of a funding partnership between Clanmil Housing and Northern Bank.
NI Social Housing Secures £65m Boost
Social housing in Northern Ireland is set to benefit from a £65m boost as a result of a funding partnership between Clanmil Housing and Northern Bank.
07 July 2011
Builders Get Major House Building Boost
A substantial Co Antrim housing scheme has been launched this week proving much needed good news for the beleaguered construction sector. Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially started the new £18.5m family housing development in Lisburn.
Builders Get Major House Building Boost
A substantial Co Antrim housing scheme has been launched this week proving much needed good news for the beleaguered construction sector. Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially started the new £18.5m family housing development in Lisburn.
05 March 2010
Housing Association Achieves Excellence
One of Northern Ireland's largest housing associations has been presented with its Customer Service Excellence Standard. Helm Housing (previously BIH Housing) is the first housing association in Northern Ireland to achieve this accolade, which was presented by Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie.
Housing Association Achieves Excellence
One of Northern Ireland's largest housing associations has been presented with its Customer Service Excellence Standard. Helm Housing (previously BIH Housing) is the first housing association in Northern Ireland to achieve this accolade, which was presented by Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie.
24 May 2010
Conference Addresses NI Housing Needs
The construction of many hundreds more houses is on the agenda for Northern Ireland. That's according to the NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie who has been speaking about the challenges and opportunities facing local housing associations during a conference hosted by the University of Ulster.
Conference Addresses NI Housing Needs
The construction of many hundreds more houses is on the agenda for Northern Ireland. That's according to the NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie who has been speaking about the challenges and opportunities facing local housing associations during a conference hosted by the University of Ulster.
18 July 2011
Residents Protest Housing List Cuts
At a packed meeting in Killiney in Dublin last Thursday local residents voted to launch a campaign to protest against the government’s new housing policy that will see thousands of people thrown off the housing list.
Residents Protest Housing List Cuts
At a packed meeting in Killiney in Dublin last Thursday local residents voted to launch a campaign to protest against the government’s new housing policy that will see thousands of people thrown off the housing list.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
