The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has revealed plans to invest millions of pounds to deliver new homes in the Mid and East Antrim area.

Senior staff recently met with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to outline its Housing Investment Plan (HIP) to local councillors, as well as to report on last year's investment.

With more than £18 million set to be invested in upgrading and maintaining properties, NIHE also revealed some £37.61m was invested last year in the region through its Landlord and Regional Services, including grant aid to Housing Associations for the building and rental of new homes.

In addition, around £82.3m was channelled into services to help the most vulnerable, which included £9.5m on homelessness and £72.8m through the Supporting People Programme.

Elsewhere, maintenance work was undertaken at 23,093 homes with a direct investment of £118.4m.

Homeowners and private landlords were also supported with £13.97m spent through grants and over £18.8m in tackling fuel poverty.

Speaking at the presentation, NIHE North Regional Manager, Frank O’Connor, said lots of work still needs to be done to meet housing need, to improve housing stock and to provide support for the most vulnerable in our community.

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"We will continue to play our part to ensure this work is delivered efficiently and effectively," he said.

"Maintaining our housing stock is a priority, and this year we will spend £8.71m in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area, on planned and response maintenance to our homes.

"This will include outside maintenance work to 620 homes, heating insulation in 264 homes and double glazing in 61 homes. Next year, we plan to invest almost £0.98m on stock improvements and adaptations for persons with a disability.

"There will also be a significant investment in the replacement of flat roofs that are reaching the end of their useful life."

Mr O'Connor also revealed around 414 new homes are planned to be built throughout the borough in partnership with housing associations during 2018 – 2021.

He said: "We endeavour to support the most vulnerable members of society through its Supporting People Programme. In 2018/19, the Housing Executive will invest over £5.53m for housing support services. We currently fund 64 accommodation based services for 1,183 service users in the Mid and East Antrim, area as well as three floating support services for 925 service users.

"We continue to contribute to the private sector through a variety of grants to help adapt homes and to support people living in their own home, for longer.

"Last year, we approved 50 disabled facilities grants and 29 repair grants as well as a small number of home repair assistance, renovation and replacement grants totalling £617k."

Concluding Mr O'Connor said NIHE's Mid and East Antrim teams provide a "high quality, dedicated housing service to the area".

"Working alongside our Customer Services Unit, Accounts and Housing Benefit teams, we provide our tenants and the wider community with an effective and efficient service," he said.

"We are committed to investing in the Mid and East Antrim area, to improve the lives of people in our community.

"My thanks are extended to the Councillors and Officers of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for their support for the Housing Executive - we look forward to continuing to work with them on matters of mutual interest over the coming year."

(LM/MH)