Inner East Belfast has been boosted this week with the official opening of a new housing development of 27 family apartments at Pottinger's Quay in east Belfast.

The homes, purchased by Clanmil Housing as part of the Laganside Corporation initiative, bring to completion the £10m regeneration of the Quay riverside development.

This latest social housing provision sits alongside two previously completed blocks of private residential accommodation and incorporates a childcare day centre run by a local community group.

NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood performed the honours: "Today celebrates the provision of much needed new housing for east Belfast and the Short Strand area and completes this landmark residential development of private and social housing.

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"This clearly demonstrates how government and the private sector working together can regenerate and transform areas to create vibrant new communities."

The £4m block of two bedroom apartments has been finished to the highest standards and has been allocated to those in urgent housing need.

The Minister continued: "Having a home is one of the most fundamental rights a person can have. Social housing is now at its highest level for over a decade and as Minister for Social Development, I intend to maintain that focus. A decent home for everyone will be at the heart of all my endeavours."

Joan Baird, Chair of Clanmil Housing welcomed the Minister to Pottinger's Quay.

"Clanmil is committed to providing high quality, affordable homes for rent in areas of high housing need and we have worked in partnership with the private sector and local community representatives to successfully deliver these beautiful waterfront homes in an area where the demand for social housing is particularly high," she said.

"We are delighted to welcome our new tenants to Pottinger's Quay and wish them well as they settle into their new homes and new community."

Adele Dobbin, a tenant at the new scheme, was pleased to show the Minister around her new home.

She said: "I am pleased that I was offered one of these apartments by Clanmil. It is really modern and bright and in such a great place, beside the river and so close to the city centre. I have settled well into my new home and I look forward to many happy years here."

(NS/BMcC)