14/10/2011

Co Down Housing To Boost Construction Jobs

The construction industry has been given a much needed boost with the announcement of a £18m social housing scheme.

Stormont Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has kick-started building work at a new social housing scheme, one of the largest developments currently under construction in Newcastle.

The new scheme by Apex Housing Association will see 149 new homes built in Newcastle, Co Down, an area of high housing need, and will see more than 130 people employed in the build over the next two years.



Minister McCausland said: "This housing scheme is not only going to see new homes for people who need them, but also, employment for some of those working in an industry that has suffered much in recent years.

"I am very pleased to lend my hand to the brick work today and that my department has lent a hand through investment for the people of Newcastle and those in the construction industry."



"Investing in social housing has strong multiplier effects in terms of employment. Research has shown that for every 10 jobs created by building social housing, seven other jobs will be created or sustained elsewhere in the wider economy.

"In these difficult times, this has to be good news both locally for Newcastle and further afield," he said, adding, this development is the biggest to start in Newcastle for more than 30 years and will address most the housing need in the area when completed.

(LB/BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

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.
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.
10 June 2011
DUP Housing Minister Backs Village People
The 'Village people' were celebrating this week as the regeneration of an iconic south Belfast loyalist area kicked-off.
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.
16 June 2011
Derry Housing Association Praised
A housing scheme that has created 17 new houses has been unveiled on the site of the former Rosemount PSNI site in Londonderry, with due praise for the Apex Housing Association.