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16/01/2012
Helm Housing Report To Be 'Critical'
One of Northern Ireland’s largest social housing organisations are expected to be slammed in a new report this afternoon.
Helm Housing could face criticism when a report is released that focuses on several multi-million pound land purchases.
It is claimed that the social housing organisation did not follow proper procedures, senior staff did not work well together and matters were withheld from its board.
The Department of Social Development suspended helm from receiving public monies last year. Since then three senior staff members including the organisation's Chief Executive have left.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland will make an announcement on the report in the assembly on Monday afternoon. It is understood to contain dozens of recommendations.
Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland has expressed his concern at the failures and breaches of compliance by Helm Housing.
The east Belfast MLA said: "I am shocked at what I have heard in the Chamber from the Social Development Minister this morning, I will be working closely with my Party colleagues over the next number of days to fully scrutinise the findings of the report.’
"It is of course of great concern that Helm were able to behave in this manner and questions must be asked not only of them, but also of the systems that allowed this abuse to take place.
"Had this been allowed to carry on, the public would have been left short of housing and of money.
"The public must be reassured that every penny of their money that is being spent is done so in the most open, appropriate and transparent way possible."
The Background
This reports follows a call made to the the minister for social development to explain why £10m was used to buy land in Belfast city centre, which has failed to deliver a home.
Helm Housing Association purchased the land at Great George's Street, beside the M3 flyover in Belfast, for £9.7m in early 2007.
Nearly five years later the site is being used as a car park.
(LB)
Helm Housing could face criticism when a report is released that focuses on several multi-million pound land purchases.
It is claimed that the social housing organisation did not follow proper procedures, senior staff did not work well together and matters were withheld from its board.
The Department of Social Development suspended helm from receiving public monies last year. Since then three senior staff members including the organisation's Chief Executive have left.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland will make an announcement on the report in the assembly on Monday afternoon. It is understood to contain dozens of recommendations.
Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland has expressed his concern at the failures and breaches of compliance by Helm Housing.
The east Belfast MLA said: "I am shocked at what I have heard in the Chamber from the Social Development Minister this morning, I will be working closely with my Party colleagues over the next number of days to fully scrutinise the findings of the report.’
"It is of course of great concern that Helm were able to behave in this manner and questions must be asked not only of them, but also of the systems that allowed this abuse to take place.
"Had this been allowed to carry on, the public would have been left short of housing and of money.
"The public must be reassured that every penny of their money that is being spent is done so in the most open, appropriate and transparent way possible."
The Background
This reports follows a call made to the the minister for social development to explain why £10m was used to buy land in Belfast city centre, which has failed to deliver a home.
Helm Housing Association purchased the land at Great George's Street, beside the M3 flyover in Belfast, for £9.7m in early 2007.
Nearly five years later the site is being used as a car park.
(LB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
