Two further Group Repair Schemes have kicked-off in North Belfast, by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), under its North Belfast Housing Strategy

The aim of scheme is to sustain and improve private housing by carrying out a range of external improvements to almost 60 dwellings in the Newington and Gainsborough areas.

Properties included in the schemes are typical Victorian terraced houses and work includes the provision of new roofs and guttering, window and door replacement, and work to chimneys, walls and front and rear boundaries.

These schemes are the third phases of Group Repair programmes in both of these areas and when completed, will result in the external improvement of 240 private homes at a cost of almost £3m.

North Belfast Strategy Manager Sharon Beattie said: "Group Repair schemes are instrumental in helping us to improve private housing - the improvements will help ensure a bright future for both areas and those living in them."

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Group Repair assists homeowners to improve the external structure of their properties, whilst encouraging them to modernise the interior of their homes with the assistance of a Private Sector Grant.

Group Repair Manager Ann Blease said: "As the regional housing authority for Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive has a responsibility to help bring about improvements to homes across all housing tenures.

"Initiatives such as private sector grants and the Group Repair scheme ensure that homeowners have the opportunity to maintain their properties to modern day standards."

Newington's Group Repair scheme has a contract value of £371,000 and has been awarded to Down Developments Ltd.

The first two phases had a cost of £638,000 and £564,000 and involved work on 53 and 41 homes respectively.

Work at Gainsborough has been awarded to McGuigan Contracts Ltd and has a contract value of £361,062.

The first two phases had a cost of £515,000 and £548,000 and involved work on 52 and 39 homes respectively.

As part of the project, external work will be carried out to 58 privately owned homes at Alexandra Park Avenue, Pacific Avenue and Baltic Avenue.

Planned works involve, where necessary: replacement of roofs, external doors and windows; rebuilding of chimneys; repointing, rendering of external walls; replacement of guttering; and repairs to front gardens areas, boundary walls and railings.