Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has attended a dedication service to mark the handover of 10 new homes to tenants in the Village and Monarch Redevelopment Area of South Belfast.

These first 10 houses are part of 132 new and refurbished homes for the area at a cost of approximately £13.4million. The Department for Social Development funded £8million through the Housing Executive, with £5.4million funded by Fold Housing Association through private financing.

Minister McCausland said: "I am pleased to be back in the Village area again for this very important service. I was first here two years ago to view the beginning of the scheme, then again last year for the sod cutting ceremony and now to come back and view the first new completed homes is a significant day for the people of this area.

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"Replacing poor quality housing with modern, energy efficient homes is one of my objectives as Housing Minister. It is also pleasing to hear that Fold, in conjunction with the local community, are working together to refurbish 18 homes in the area. This is all part of my Department’s ongoing commitment to provide housing for those who need it.

"I would like to congratulate Fold Housing Association and all those involved in providing these homes. I would especially like to congratulate the Village and Monarch Community Design Team who have been working on this project for the past two and a half years and been instrumental in making this new development happen. It is important that the local community are involved in schemes such as this as their input and commitment are vital in making it a success."

(CD)