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Eleven housing areas across Northern Ireland have been unveiled as the latest participants in a major £1m initiative designed to support and encourage shared neighbourhoods.
The project was launched by Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie last August.
Funded by the International Fund for Ireland and managed by the Housing Executive, Shared Future housing is a key plank in Minister Ritchie’s New Housing Agenda and this Programme will complement that agenda.
All of the participants are already working towards becoming genuinely shared spaces.
Participation in the Shared Neighbourhood Programme will provide access to grants to celebrate diversity and bring together people, from all backgrounds, who live in these areas.
Participants also benefit from community relations training, community consultations and support to design their own Neighbourhood Charter and deliver their own Good Relations Programme.
Mr Rooney said: "What makes the Shared Neighbourhood Programme special is that it focuses on the strengths, successes and lessons learnt by such communities who already quietly working away to bring about change and to build shared neighbourhoods where everyone is accepted and respected.
"Developing such innovative community relations programmes, alongside partners such as the Housing Executive, is a major priority for the International Fund for Ireland."
Ms Ritchie said: "When I launched the New Housing Agenda, I made it clear that I wanted to provide housing solutions that would start to bring people together.
"I welcome the continued financial support from the International Fund for Ireland and commend the efforts of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in delivering this programme on the ground."
The 11 housing areas, joining an existing five participants in the programme are Redburn and Loughview, Holywood; Suffolk and Lenadoon, Belfast; Skegoneil and Glandore, Belfast; Shandon Road & Belfast Road, Newry; Central Brownlow, Craigavon; Sion Mills Village; The Glen, Limavady; Whiteabbey Village; Castle Street/Westgate, Ballymoney; Areema, Lisburn; and Windmill/Minorca Drive, Carrickfergus.
(PR/JM)
