The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has announced it will make a 'significant' investment in the council area of Antrim and Newtownabbey.

The NIHE will support the delivery of new homes, along with investing £16 million in upgrading and maintaining its properties.

It will also support people to live independently, increase energy efficiency of homes and provide grant aid to the private sector.

Last year the NIHE invested over £26 million in the Antrim and Newtownabbey council area.

This year the organisation will spend almost £9.2 million on planned and response maintenance to its homes.

This will include 1,512 fire doors, outside maintenance work to 758 homes, new heating in 315 homes, smoke alarms for 778 homes, kitchens for 286 homes and the installation of double glazing in 92 homes.

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The NIHE will also support tenants who need help to live independently in their homes through the provision of adaptations. Last year it spent £353,000 on both major and minor works helping people live more comfortably in their homes.

In addition, it approved 73 disabled facilities grants and a small number of repair, discretionary grants and renovation grants with a value of £530,000. The NIHE also supported improvement and repairs in the private sector through the provision of £810,000 in grant aid.

During 2015/16, in partnership with housing associations, 245 homes are under construction and a further 470 homes will start up to 2017/18.

Speaking at a presentation to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Siobhan McCauley, the Housing Executive’s Director of Regional Services said: "Our Housing Investment Plan has been informed by a range of stakeholders and was developed as a comprehensive conversation piece for the whole housing sector in Northern Ireland.

"As the strategic housing authority for Northern Ireland we have prepared this plan to inform the community planning partnership on the state of the housing market, on housing needs, the policy priorities and public sector investment proposals for 2015-19.

"There is a lot of work that needs to be done to meet housing need, improve housing stock and provide support for the most vulnerable in our community."

(LM)