Nearly £30 million is to be invested in upgrading and maintaining Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) properties in the Derry City & Strabane District Council region this year.

NIHE staff recently met with Derry City & Strabane District Council to give a presentation to members on its Housing Investment Plan for 2018/19.

A total of £29.42m has been set aside to upgrade and maintain properties, supporting people to live independently, increasing the energy efficiency of homes and providing grant aid in the private sector.

Elsewhere, £14.7m will be spent on planned and response maintenance to homes, including outside maintenance work to 1,073 homes, heating installation in 375 homes and double glazing in 1,214 homes.

In addition, almost £3.8m will be invested next year on stock improvements and adaptations for persons with a disability. During 2018-21, in partnership with housing associations, around 1,305 new homes are planned throughout the district.

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NIHE said: "We endeavour to support the most vulnerable members of society through our Supporting People Programme.

"In 2018/19 we will invest over £8.46 million for housing support services. We currently fund 70 accommodation based services for 1,398 service users in the Derry City & Strabane area as well as 10 floating support services for 488 service users.

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

"Last year we approved 166 disabled facilities grants and a small number of repair and renovation grants totaling £2.27m."

Speaking at the presentation, NIHE North Regional Manager Frank O'Connor said: "Our district 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.

"We are committed to investing in the Derry City & Strabane area to improve the lives of people in our community.

"My thanks are extended to the Councillors and officers of Derry City & Strabane District 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)