Twenty-two privately developed properties in Lisburn have been bought by the government for social housing.

The Causeway Meadows homes will be managed by Clanmil Housing, and have been described as a "important route" to shared future by Minister Margaret Ritchie.

Ms Ritchie paid a visit to a number of families who have moved into the properties.

"It is very rewarding for me to visit Causeway Meadows to meet families committed to securing a shared future for their children," she said.

"The New Housing Agenda is not simply about increasing the supply of good quality, well-designed, energy efficient homes. It is as much about creating sustainable communities that welcome diversity in whichever form that exists."

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Private and social tenants will co-exist in the development.

Clanmil Housing purchased 22 units for social housing within the 140 unit private development.

Geraldine Rice, Chair of Clanmil Housing said: "Clanmil aims to provide high quality homes at the lowest possible economic rent for people in housing need and we were delighted to purchase these beautiful homes in an area where demand for social housing is high."

Ms Rice said there had been 100% sign-up to the Shared Futures charter for the neighbourhood.

New tenant Victoria Earl said: "Everyone is getting on really well. We may be different in some ways but it doesn’t matter, the children play together and everyone wants to make it work.

"It's how I want my family to live and I'm sure it's the same for the other tenants. We don't really think about it as shaping the future, we're just getting on with our lives in our lovely new homes."

(PR/JM)