An important housing organisation has been hailed a success as its new offices are opened.

The NI Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, has this week paid tribute to a life of service to the social housing sector, as he attended the official opening of new offices for the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA).

Congratulating NIFHA on the purchase of their new premises at Albert Street in west Belfast, Alex Attwood also presented a lifetime achievement award to former director of the NIFHA, Erskine Holmes.

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Alex Attwood said: "These new premises for the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations represent a great investment in the future and shows that housing associations still have much to give.

"The provision of adequate housing for people in Northern Ireland who are most in need remains my number one priority, and this year I intend to start 2,000 new homes.

"The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations has an important role to play in this plan," he continued.

Presenting Erskine Holmes, with a personal award, Minister Attwood thanked him for his contribution to the housing sector across Northern Ireland, which spanned four decades.

"Erskine's work at the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations has been imperative in its success.

"As the Federation's first director he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals and communities," he said.

(BMcC/GK)