An award-winning social housing project funded by the EU PEACE IV programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), has received praise from government officials in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The Housing Associations Integration Project (HAIP), a cross-border initiative aimed at promoting good relations across housing associations in Northern Ireland and the Border Regions of Ireland, has succeeded in enhancing cross community relationship building in the areas within which it supported.

HAIP was launched in July 2018 and delivered by a partnership involving four of Northern Ireland's largest housing associations (Radius, Clanmil, Choice and Apex), working with TIDES Training, Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA), and the Irish Council for Social Housing. It aimed to build, improve and sustain positive relationships with local people and their neighbours from different cultures and countries.

To date it has engaged with over 1,700 tenants in community building activities, 700 more than planned. It has enrolled more than 300 tenants on non-accredited training activities and almost 100 participants achieved an OCN Level 2 accredited training in good relations. These opportunities have helped to break down religious and racial barriers and bring about change in some of the most vulnerable localities in NI and ROI.

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First Minister Arlene Foster said: "This project has had a significant impact on the communities in which it was delivered and I am pleased that the Executive, through the PEACE IV programme, has been able to provide support which has helped break down barriers and bring people together.

"I would like to congratulate the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, all the partners who help delivered this project and all those who took part.

"I have no doubt this project will leave a lasting impact on the communities involved and our wider community."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill added: "The Executive is committed to building a shared future for all of our people. To do that we need to create more opportunities for people from different community backgrounds to come together, build understanding and foster mutual respect. This fantastic project provided that opportunity on a north-south basis, enabling people from 40 neighbourhoods to engage with one another, learn about different cultures and traditions.

"I congratulate all of those involved and encourage all of those that took part to use the skills gained and the friendships made to support the effort to build a truly shared society – one that is free from prejudice and division and where everyone is respected and treated equally."

Minister of State, Joe O'Brien TD, Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands in Ireland said: "I would like to congratulate all those involved on the successful implementation of the Housing Associations Integration Project. It is a unique cross-border partnership targeting 40 distinct neighbourhoods, promoting good relations across housing associations in Northern Ireland and the Border Regions. I am delighted to hear that it brings together residents from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds. My Department is an Accountable Department for this EU PEACE IV funding and I know that the new community-based partnerships that the project has developed and will continue to have a significant impact on the communities involved."

HAIP Co-ordinator, Richard Mealey, said: "The project set out to engage 40 distinct communities across the region in a range of peace building activities to build meaningful and sustainable relationships between people. I am delighted with the success that the HAIP partnership has had in achieving this. We greatly exceeded so many of our targets and picked up an all-Ireland CIH award along the way in recognition of our work. We produced significant outcomes within the neighbourhoods and the individuals involved in the project have seen many positive impacts on the communities involved."