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Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened a social housing scheme of former Ministry of Defence (MoD) properties at Dog Kennel Close and Dog Kennel Crescent in Lisburn.
The 20 former MoD houses were excess to requirements and have been purchased by Clanmil Housing Association. The cost of provision, including purchase price, minor refurbishment costs and associated housing association costs was £1.7m, part funded by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development with additional private funding from Clanmil Housing.
Minister McCausland said: "I am delighted to be here today to hand over the keys to the new tenants. These homes, which lay idle for two years, have been given a new lease of life and taken 20 families off the housing waiting list. I congratulate Clanmil Housing for having had the foresight to purchase these properties and return them back into use for the benefit of the local community.
"Too often empty homes can be a blight on an area and attract anti-social behaviour. However, we have seen the positives that can come from acting quickly when the opportunity arises."
During a tour of the development, the Minister was showed round the new home of Jean Kerr and son Dexter who have just recently moved in.
Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil said: "Refurbishment has brought these once vacant homes back into use as much needed high quality affordable family homes and we are delighted to see our new tenants settling in and making them their own in time for Christmas. We wish Jean, her young sons and all of our new tenants at Dog Kennel Close and Crescent, a very peaceful first Christmas in their new home and many happy years to come.
"Clanmil is also progressing plans to purchase a further 36 former Ministry of Defence homes nearby at Mountview Drive. These homes will provide a mix of social homes for rent and affordable homes for purchase through Clanmil's new Homeowner shared home ownership scheme which is designed to help people take that important first step onto the property ladder."
(CD/JP)
