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A selection of former VHE properties in west Belfast have been successfully renovated into new homes for occupation.
Choice Housing invested £1.5 million to refurbish the six properties, which included extensive internal and external upgrades to provide temporary homes for families in other occupied former VHE housing to facilitate upgrades to their properties.
The organisation's £20m stock transfer acquired in 2020, which comprised of almost 300 previously managed VHE properties included a significant programme of renovation and refurbishment to bring the properties in line with the Decent Homes Standard.
Phase 1 of this project involved upgrading void properties across all areas (Glengormley, Bangor, East and West Belfast) which would be used as decant housing to facilitate upgrades to the occupied properties in these areas, also part of the transfer.
Following completion of the wider refurbishment project the formerly void properties will then be offered to new individuals and families in need of quality affordable housing.
Choice Group Chief Executive, Michael McDonnell said: "Our VHE refurbishment project has made significant progress and remains on target for completion by summer 2024. With a mix of houses and apartments, the programme was divided into ten phases with the initial focus being on completing the void properties to facilitate temporary housing for families whose homes needed extensive repair.
"With the demand for quality social housing increasing, it is vital that we deliver on this project in a timely manner with the formerly void properties eventually becoming available homes for people across all of the areas included in the programme.
"Working with Moore MacDonald Building Surveyors and Piperhill Construction, the upgrades to Riverdale commenced in January of this year and we are pleased to have completed this phase in just over six months."
The £1.5m investment in Riverdale forms part of the £10m which will be invested in properties across West Belfast on full completion of the project, with expected completion expected by the end of 2024.
