Armagh City, and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Contents

3 Foreword 5 Executive Summary 11 Introduction 15 Theme one - Identify and meet housing need and demand 23 Theme two - Improving people’s homes 31 Theme three - Transforming people’s lives 39 Theme four - Enabling sustainable neighbourhoods 49 Theme fi ve - Delivering quality services 51 Governance

53 Appendix one - Social housing development programme 54 Appendix two - Maintenance programme and Grants Information 59 Appendix three - Social housing waiting list details 64 Appendix four - Housing Executive stock data 67 Appendix fi ve - Contact details 68 Appendix six - Glossary

This document is available in alternative formats. Contact: Strategic Planning Team, Corporate Planning, The Housing Centre, 2 Adelaide Street, BT2 8PB Tel: 03448 920 900 Fax: (028) 9031 8775 Textphone: 0845 6504381 Email: [email protected] www.nihe.gov.uk

All mapping material within the document is crown copyright and is reproduced with permission of Land and Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Offi ce, © Crown copyright and Database rights NIMA ES&LA209.3.

1 City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

ACHIEVEMENTS 2014/15 has been an exceptional year for the Housing Executive. Over this period: • Our core landlord services of response maintenance exceeded targets in terms of tenant satisfaction and completion rates; • Over 28,000 of our homes were included in our largest planned maintenance programme for many years, which saw expenditure of £100 million; • Working alongside housing associations we saw 2,013 new homes started last year; • Over £200 million has been channelled into Regional Services, helping vulnerable people across , including £10 million on tackling homelessness and £72 million has been administered through the Supporting People programme; • 19,138 private sector grants were approved, including a spend of £15 million on fuel poverty schemes and £13.5 million was spent on grants for private homeowners; • £667 million in housing benefi t has also been administered in the last year to 167,000 customers. In May, the organisation secured the Investors in People ‘Silver Award’ accreditation. The organisation has also recently been informed that it has been re- credited Customer Service Excellence (CSE) with overall customer satisfaction levels for the current year running above 88%. The Housing Executive has met all of its key targets for 2014/15. Importantly, we have delivered positive outcomes for customers across the range of Housing Executive functions in both Landlord and Regional Services. The Housing Executive is well placed to continue to deliver much needed investment and services to people in Northern Ireland in the years ahead.

2 Foreword

Welcome to the Housing Executive’s in collaboration with a wide range of fi rst Housing Investment Plan (HIP) for partners. Crucially, the work of the your District which is intended to initiate Regional Services Division also provides discussion on delivering improved the Department for Social Development housing outcomes. As a community (DSD) and other central government planning partner, the Housing Executive departments with expertise and looks forward to working with our knowledge through local understanding partners in delivering better services for and experience. all citizens in the District. Put simply, the Housing Executive has to The Housing Executive’s ‘Journey to maintain a balance between delivering Excellence’ plan aims to deliver top good housing and ensuring the long­ class regeneration and housing solutions term future of all neighbourhoods in that meet the needs of our communities Northern Ireland. To do the fi rst of and partners now and in the future. It is these tasks without the other would essential that we give equal attention to be to fail to maximise the use of public the people, property and place aspects resources. This wider mission, set out of the business. in the Introduction, is at the core of the Regional Services Division, will require Although the Housing Executive has innovation in terms of both what we do a responsibility for the entirety of the and how we do it. homes and sustainable place agenda, the Landlord Services Division has a particular responsibility for managing its social housing stock. The Regional Services Division within the Housing Executive has the major responsibility for ensuring the effective delivery of the Donald Hoodless people, property and place programme Chairman

3 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Geography of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough is divided into seven district electoral areas.

4 Executive Summary

Introduction Population of the council area is growing (approximately 204,000). Unemployment This HIP will be the ‘comprehensive is less than the NI average. conversation piece’ for the housing element of community planning, involving The council area lies within the consultation from a range of stakeholders Craigavon, Belfast and Housing in the sector. It is intended the HIP will Market Areas, whose key housing issues initiate further discussion amongst are affordability, private rented sector partners to shape the future of housing growth, fuel poverty, public expenditure in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon cuts, and the growth in the number of Borough. elderly citizens. The HIP will be renewed every four years. Theme One: In the intervening years, the Housing Identify and meet housing need and Executive will publish an annual update demand and performance report. Performance outcomes: The vision of the HIP is to deliver 1. Identify new housing requirements sustainable communities, living in 2. Increase the supply of affordable dwellings of a decent standard and in renting to meet the needs of suffi cient numbers to meet local needs communities in both urban and rural areas. Its longer 3. Assist home ownership strategic vision encompasses a 10-year - The population is projected to period. increase to 224,317 by 2023; The HIP contains fi ve themes, with a - DOE Land Availability Report for number of related outcomes whose 2013 shows a potential capacity performance will be measured annually. for 22,707 additional dwellings The fi ve themes are: in the council area, which is suffi cient at current building 1) Identify and meet housing need and rates. Household formation is demand currently less than previously 2) Improving peoples’ homes projected; 3) Transforming peoples’ lives - A new Armagh City, Banbridge 4) Enabling sustainable neighbourhoods and Craigavon Borough Local 5) Delivering quality services Development Plan will identify The HIP has taken account of the and zone new housing land; Programme for Government, NI Housing - DSD has established a Housing Strategy, Regional Development Strategy, Supply Forum, as recommended Sustainable Development Strategy by the NI Housing Strategy. It is for Northern Ireland, Planning Reform, to report with recommendations and actions in 2015/16; Reform of Local Government, and the - Census 2011 demonstrates the Social Housing Reform Programme. continued desire of residents The HIP will assist the community plan to to own their own home. It also target public resources more effectively. highlights the signifi cance of The Housing Executive budget for the the private rented sector, which council area is projected to be £17.65m increased by 202% between (see Table 1) in 2015/16. 2001 and 2011 across Armagh

5 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

City, Banbridge and Craigavon year on its website to inform Borough. Private sector sales housing associations where there have also increased, despite is a shortage of programmed tighter mortgage lending sites to meet the projected social conditions and negative equity; housing need; - Low income households are faring - The Housing Executive worst in terms of accessing the undertakes site identifi cation property ladder. The demand studies for locations of unmet for intermediate housing is need. Studies have been increasing, at 296 per annum for carried out at North and the 2013 to 2023 period; ; - There are 9,779 registered - The Housing Executive, in tenancies in the council area, partnership with DSD and others, according to the Landlord is devising a Delivery Strategy for Registration Scheme. In the the Social Housing Development council area 7,531 private Programme, to be implemented tenants are receiving private in 2016; housing benefi t; - Welfare Reforms are likely to - There are 111-registered increase the demand for smaller HMO (Houses in Multiple social housing units. Occupation) in the council Theme Two: area, all in compliance with the Improving people’s homes HMO regulations. New HMO legislation is currently being Performance outcomes: drafted; 4. Improve the quality of the - Projected new-build social housing stock housing need is 317 units over 5. Develop low carbon homes and the fi ve year period 2014-19. The reduce fuel poverty areas of greatest need are North - Within the council area unfi tness Lurgan, Armagh 1 local housing has increased in Craigavon only, area and Banbridge Town. 73% with Armagh and Banbridge of those in housing stress include districts demonstrating singles, the elderly and small decreasing rates. Less disposable adult households; income and reduced public - At March 2015, there were 57 expenditure are the main causes social housing units on site for an increase in unfi tness. across Armagh City, Banbridge Unfi tness is higher in older and Craigavon Borough including properties, vacant properties, and developments in Lurgan, in isolated rural areas; ; Middletown, - The number of homes meeting Derrymore and Charlemont; the Decent Homes Standard in - A latent demand tests was the council area is increasing. carried out in in Thermal comfort is the main 2014/15 to establish hidden reason for failure; social housing need; - In the context of reduced grant - The Housing Executive publishes aid to private homeowners the Unmet Need Prospectus each

6 (including landlords) DSD will from tenants. DSD has set a introduce a pilot loans scheme target to transfer 2,000 Housing in 2015/16 to reduce unfi tness Executive homes to housing levels in private homes; associations across Northern - The Housing Executive is Ireland. Northern Ireland’s Home Energy Theme Three: Conservation Authority. It Transforming people’s lives identifi es, promotes and monitors home energy efficiency and carries Performance outcomes: out Housing Condition Surveys; 6. Provide suitable accommodation - In 2011, home energy effi ciency and support services for vulnerable had improved by over 22% on the residents 1996 baseline fi gure for Northern 7. Homelessness is prevented or Ireland; addressed effectively - Armagh has the highest percentage of homes in fuel - The Housing Executive will poverty in the council area at provide housing related support 45%, followed by Banbridge and services to tackle social exclusion Craigavon both 40%; through it’s supporting people - Under the Affordable Warmth programme; Scheme, the council is expected - It is projected that older to deliver 1,000 completed persons will make up 16.8% household surveys annually to of the population of Armagh the Housing Executive up to City, Banbridge and Craigavon March 2017; Borough by 2023. As a result - The Boiler Replacement Scheme the Housing Executive have has received approval to run one commissioned research to more year (2015/16) with funding determine the level of housing of £2m for Northern Ireland; need among older people; - The Northern Ireland Building - Smartmove Housing is delivering Regulations legislative a private rented sector access amendments in February 2014 scheme across Northern Ireland; mean that by 2020 there will be - The third Travellers a new regulatory requirement Accommodation Needs for all new buildings to be nearly assessment was carried out zero-energy buildings; across Northern Ireland in - The Housing Executive’s 2013/14 and is being used to Maintenance Investment plan future accommodation Strategy continues to deliver schemes; improvements to its housing - It is forecast that the need for stock despite reductions in public adaptations will continue to funding. An Asset Management rise. The Housing Executive Strategy is to be developed for Adaptations Service is therefore the period 2016-2021; key to sustaining independent - Funding for improvements to living; Housing Executive properties is - In 2014/15, 116 disabled partly raised by rental income facilities grants were approved in

7 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

the Armagh City, Banbridge and delivery of housing related Craigavon Borough through our strands of the Together Building private sector grants scheme; a United Community (TBUC) - Over the last fi ve years, the strategy; Housing Executive carried out - The Housing Executive continue 259 adaptations for tenants at a to implement the Race Relations cost of £3.8m within the Armagh Policy; City, Banbridge and Craigavon. - A new BRIC 2 programme has Theme Four: been approved and will run over Enabling sustainable a three year period (2015/18) neighbourhoods based in 76 estates across Northern Ireland; Performance outcomes: - The Housing Executive will 8. Regenerate neighbourhoods continue to support regeneration 9. Create safer and cohesive initiatives within Armagh, communities Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown - Within the Armagh City, Neighbourhood Renewal Areas, Banbridge and Craigavon which aim to tackle deprivation, Borough deprivation is most as well as develop communities; prevalent in social housing - The Housing Executive will estates; continue to facilitate the local - The Housing Executive will Tenant Scrutiny Panel. continue to work with local areas Theme Five: identifi ed under the ‘Areas at Risk’ programme; Delivering quality services - The Housing Executive will Performance outcome: work with DSD to bring long term empty homes back into 10. Deliver better services use for social renting through - The Housing Executive South the delivery of an ‘Empty Homes Area is made up of four local Action Plan’; offi ces located in Armagh City - The Housing Executive has and in the towns of Portadown, developed a ‘Social Enterprise Banbridge and Lurgan, with Strategy’ promoting social responsibility for more than 7,700 enterprise within its estates; tenanted properties; - The Housing Executive will - The 2014/15 year recorded ensure that affordable housing matters are identifi ed in the Area Offi ce successfully masterplans for town and village achieving all performance centres throughout the area; targets; - The Housing Executive will - 99.82% of rent was collected; continue with information sharing - Arrears decreased by £76k; protocols with other agencies - Voids were 0.59% at March and to participate in anti-social 2015; behaviour (ASB) interagency - Customer engagement involved forums; over 43,000 customers calling at - The Housing Executive will the four offi ces. support government in the

8 Population 2013 203,757

Population 2023 224,317

New Build New Build On site Planned £1.75m 57 103 in 2014/15 at March 2015 2015/16

Housing need Housing stress Allocations 317 1,184 709 2014/19 March 2015 in 2014/15

There are Owner Occupied 70.4%

80,116 Private Rented15.7% homes in the district Social rented 11.3%

Ave house price Ave house price NI £102k £140k 2014/15 2014/15

9 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019 Introduction

Introduction approach. The housing vision for the Themes and Outcomes Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon The Housing Executive is a statutory Borough is one where: THEME ONE partner in community planning under Identify and meet housing need the Local Government Act (Northern and demand Ireland) 2014. The Act requires each … housing plays a part council to provide a framework within in creating a peaceful, 1. Identify new housing requirements. which councils, departments, statutory inclusive, prosperous and bodies and other relevant agencies 2. Increase the supply of affordable and sectors can work together. This fair society … renting to meet the needs of Housing Investment Plan (HIP) has communities. been developed as a ‘Comprehensive This vision for Armagh City, Banbridge 3. Assist home ownership. Conversation piece’ for the housing and Craigavon Borough seeks to deliver sector informed by a range of sustainable communities, living in THEME TWO stakeholders. As the strategic housing dwellings of a decent standard and in Improving people’s homes authority, the Housing Executive suffi cient numbers to meet local needs 4. Improve the quality of the housing has prepared the HIP to inform the in both urban and rural areas. stock. community planning partnership on the state of the housing market, housing Themes and outcomes 5. Develop low carbon homes and needs, policy priorities and public sector The HIP framework is structured around reduce fuel poverty. investment proposals for the Armagh fi ve themes that refl ect the objectives of THEME THREE City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough the Housing Executive. The themes also Transforming people’s lives between 2015 and 2019. A longer ten- embrace those of the Northern Ireland 6. Provide suitable accommodation year horizon is also considered. Sustainable Development Strategy, and support services for which puts cohesive communities The HIP will be renewed every four vulnerable residents. years. In the intervening years, the at the heart of housing development Housing Executive will publish an annual constructed within environmental 7. Homelessness is prevented or is update and report on the performance limits. Success for housing providers addressed effectively. of proposals set out in the HIP as well is about measuring the impact of their THEME FOUR as incorporating initiatives as necessary. interventions against policy and strategy Enabling sustainable The HIP is not a fi xed plan. It is a living recommendations; therefore, under each neighbourhoods document, subject to consultation, theme, a number of outcomes have been annual monitoring or even fundamental identifi ed. The themes and outcomes are 8. Regenerate neighbourhoods. review in the light of major change in noted in the adjacent box. 9. Create safer and cohesive the policy and/or fi scal context. Under themes one to four, the report communities. The HIP also fulfi ls the Housing examines the challenges facing the THEME FIVE Executive’s statutory obligations under Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Delivering Quality Services the 1981 Housing Order to consult with Borough housing market and identifi es 10. Deliver better services. councils on its performance and future strategies to address imbalances. plans on an annual basis. While work under these themes is undertaken across both regional Vision and landlord aspects of the Housing The housing sector throughout Northern Executive’s business, a fi fth theme, Ireland faces a number of challenges ‘Delivering Quality Services’ relates in the current economic climate but is entirely to the landlord function, which committed to working in a way that has responsibility for approximately goes beyond a simple ‘bricks and mortar’ 90,000 tenants’ homes. The report sets 11 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Strategic Policy Context out investment performance for 2014/15 strategies, listed left, set the fi nancial, and programmes to achieve the HIP’s legal and policy parameters within 1. Programme for Government; outcomes for the period 2015 to 2019. which the housing industry currently 2. Northern Ireland Housing Strategy The HIP will also consider the long-term operates. These strategies are discussed (Facing the Future 2012-17); aspirations (10 years) and targets for further within the HIP. the local area. Detailed information Resources 3. Planning reform and the Regional of actions and proposals are set out Development Strategy; in the Appendices. All statistics in In Northern Ireland, there is a practical 4. Sustainable Development this document refer to Armagh City, requirement for stakeholders in the Strategy for Northern Ireland; Banbridge and Craigavon Borough housing market to work with others, in Council area unless otherwise stated. order to deliver effective and effi cient 5. Welfare Reform Act; The Housing Executive, as a statutory housing and related neighbourhood 6. Reform of Local Government; community planning partner and in services, guided and unifi ed by considering the community’s wider 7. Social Housing Reform Programme. consultation with key stakeholders will publish annual updates on the HIP to needs. It is encouraging to note, that inform the community planning process. many examples of strong partnership already operate in the sector, across Shaping the HIP private, public and voluntary agencies. The HIP has been developed within the The recent introduction of the context of the Northern Ireland policy community planning legislation offers framework. The key documents and

Table 1: Actual/Projected NIHE Housing Spend Actual spend £m Projected spend £m Activity areas 2014/15 2015/16 Capital improvement work 0.20 0.88 Planned maintenance work 6.60 5.77 Response maintenance* 4.51 3.92 Private Sector Grants 1.28 1.16 Grounds Maintenance 0.63 0.71 Warm Homes 1.41 ** Supporting People 5.14 5.21 Investment in New Build*** 1.75 **** Total 21.52 17.65 Source: Northern Ireland Housing Executive * Includes minor disabled person adaptations, redecoration and displacement grants. ** Warm Homes spend is demand led and cannot be projected at district level. *** Investment in new build is the total cost of schemes starting in the programme year but which may be spent over more than one year. The amount includes Housing Association Grant (HAG) and housing association funding. **** The total cost of units in the gross SHDP for 2015/16 has not been fi nalised.

12 the Housing Executive an exciting HMA Areas opportunity to collaborate with the 11 new councils, statutory partners and the community and voluntary sector over the next year in the production of a community plan. Community planning will seek to target limited public sector resources more effectively by working in collaboration with others. The total Housing Executive projected housing investment within Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough in 2015/16 is £17.65 million. Housing expenditure is set out in Table 1. Area profile Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough council area is the second largest council in terms of population Source: Housing Executive after Belfast. It is strategically positioned on the axis of the main need for councils to cooperate with their Housing Market Analysis Key Issues East West and North South economic neighbouring councils to address any corridors and is supported by high potential land use requirements. • House prices have become much quality road and rail links both within more affordable. However, tighter Northern Ireland and to the Republic of The three HMAs present an assessment lending is likely to lead to the Ireland. Despite the challenges of the of the housing market conditions continuation of low rates of recent economic recession the area can throughout the area and provide a robust private housing construction; boast of a growing economic sector. evidence base, which highlights the • There has been signifi cant growth The district has a population in excess pressures within and between housing in the size of the private rented of 203,000, 67% of the population live tenures in Armagh City, Banbridge and sector since 2001; Craigavon Borough. in towns and 33% in rural areas. The • House conditions are likely Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon The HMA’s identifi ed the following key to deteriorate with a lack of Borough economy has fared well in issues as listed in the box adjacent, available private sector grant recent years with percentage levels of which remain relevant in the current funding for housing and reduced disposable income; people claiming unemployment related housing market. benefi ts below the Northern Ireland • Fuel poverty will remain an issue; average over the past fi ve years. • Public expenditure cuts in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Northern Ireland suggest that Borough council area falls mainly they will have implications across the Craigavon HMA for the next within the Housing Executive’s decade and possibly beyond; Craigavon Housing Market Assessment (HMA) area. Remaining areas of the • The growth in older people will borough lie within Newry and Belfast have implications in terms of the demand for housing adaptations, HMA’s. Housing markets are often not specialist housing and personal or coterminous with local government nursing care. district boundaries, therefore there is a

13 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

14 THEME ONE Identify and meet housing need and demand

Challenges and opportunities underway by DRD. The DOE’s Northern Key Issues Ireland Housing Land Availability Report Changing economic conditions, tenure for 2013 (Planning NI: 2014) shows • An increasing population; trends and household numbers and potential capacity for 22,707 additional • The forecasted rate of new types will infl uence housing market dwellings in Armagh City, Banbridge and household formation has dynamics and the requirement for new Craigavon Borough which is suffi cient at signifi cantly reduced; housing. Analysis of these changes will current build rates. A new Armagh City, allow us to determine the scale and • Requirement for smaller units Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Local mix of housing provision and affordable particularly from existing elderly Development Plan will identify and zone households; housing provision needed in any given land for new housing. area. Research and market intelligence • Reduction in the level of new guide the Housing Executives plans and DSD established a Housing Supply housing starts; programmes, and support other decision- Forum in January 2014, made up of key • Negative equity levels in NI makers by identifying housing need and stakeholders, to consider how to improve highest in UK; demand across Northern Ireland. Key housing supply in a sustainable way, as • Demand is rising for private issues relating to housing in the Armagh recommended by the Housing Strategy rented accommodation; City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough ‘Facing the Future’. A fi nal report with • Continuing growing need for are outlined right. recommendations and agreed actions is additional social housing; due to be published in 2015/16. Changing demographics, particularly in • Potential for Welfare Reform age profi le and average household size, The 2011 census demonstrates the to impact on the social housing are important factors when considering continued desire of residents to own requirement. numbers and design of new housing. The their own home. The private rented Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon sector is an increasingly important sector Residential planning applications and Borough population continues to grow, in the district, with numbers increasing new build starts with an increasingly aging populace by 202% between 2001 and 2011. and smaller households. It is projected Census 2011 showed that the social that by 2023 older people will represent rented stock in the district (8,547 units) 1200 16.8% of the population in the district. has fallen by 28.1% compared to the 2001 fi gure. The rate of new house building is 1000 beneath the requirement (1,253) as Owner occupied housing sector set out in the Regional Development The private housing market is now 800 Strategy 2035 (RDS). However, this may showing signs of recovery as the be revised downwards following a review number of house sales in Armagh City, of housing growth indicators, currently 600

Table 2: Demographic Trends 400 Demographics Mid-Year Estimate Mid-Year Estimate Projected 2003 2013 2023 200 Children 42,125 (23.5%) 45,250 (22.2%) 49,804 (22.2%) 11/1210/11 11/1210/11 13/1412/13 14/15* Working age 113,940 (63.7%) 129,026 (63.3%) 136,727 (61.0%) U New build Starts Older people 22,889 (12.8%) 29,481 (14.5%) 37,786 (16.8%) U Residential Planning Applications Total Population 178,954 203,757 224,317 Source: LPS Housing Statistics and DOE Households n/a 77,069 84,762 Statistics Branch Ave Household Size n/a 2.63 2.62 *Residential Planning Applications for Source: NISRA 2014/15 are for Quarters 1-3 only

15 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

% households in owner Banbridge and Craigavon Borough has Private rented housing sector occupation, private rented sector increased from 1,083 in 2010 to 2,102 and social housing The private rented sector across in 2014 (LPS), and is the highest number Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon of sales in that period. The average 100 Borough has seen an unprecedented house price for Armagh City, Banbridge increase in its tenure share between and Craigavon Borough stabilised at 2001 and 2011. Local estate agents £102k in 2014, just under £40k below throughout the Armagh City, Banbridge 80 the Northern Ireland average. Popular and Craigavon Borough report a very locations in the district include Armagh strong demand for private rental City, Banbridge Town, Lurgan and accommodation. Those agents consulted 60 Portadown. commented that within Armagh, Despite lower house prices and low Banbridge, Lurgan and Portadown interest rates, negative equity and demand is high and outstripped supply 40 rigorous bank lending practices have in all cases. The majority of demand is constrained the housing market. The for three bed accommodation however mortgage administration company HML there are a growing number of elderly 20 estimated in 2013, that more than 68,000 persons looking to downsize to smaller mortgages advanced since 2005 (41% properties throughout the district. 201120011991 201120011991 201120011991 of the NI total) were now in negative There is potential for volatility in the equity; an increase from 44,000 (28%) in Armagh City, Banbridge NI private rented sector with large number and Craigavon 2011. The DSD Housing Repossessions of new properties in the tenure, which U OO U PRS U Social Taskforce 2015, report that Northern could not be sold following the housing Source: NISRA Ireland’s repossession rate is likely to market collapse. The risk of large- Average house prices and new build starts continue to outstrip other UK regions. scale disinvestment is however seen http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/housing­ as low, with continued demand for 200,000 1000 repossessions-taskforce-fi nal-report.pdf private renting from potential fi rst-time buyers unable to afford their fi rst home, Low-income households can fi nd ‘mortgage prisoners’ with negative 900 diffi culty accessing the owner equity and from migrant workers, occupied market creating demand for however the latter has been levelling intermediate housing. The Housing 800 off in recent years. Local estate agents Executive estimate intermediate housing comment that investors are receiving demand for Armagh City, Banbridge a good yield on their investments 150,000 700 and Craigavon Borough at 296 units and in general are holding on to their per annum for the 2013 to 2023 period. properties. Rising levels of temporary During 2014/15, 154 properties were employment, growing social housing 600 purchased through Co-ownership waiting lists, lending restrictions in the Armagh City, Banbridge and and high levels of negative equity Craigavon Borough area, refl ecting the will ensure the private rented sector 500 opportunities this scheme provides, in continues to play an important role in 20142013201220112010 20142013201220112010 the current housing market environment. the district. In addition, DSD is piloting a number of The DSD’s Landlord Registration Scheme U Private new build starts initiatives to deliver affordable housing identifi ed 9,779 tenancies registered for U Ave house price U NI ave house price with the potential to be rolled out across Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Northern Ireland. Source: LPS and University of Ulster Borough in March 2015. This registration scheme will provide evidence to assist

16 monitoring and regulation of the sector. Craigavon Borough have been registered The current DSD led review of the role as complying with regulations. DSD is and regulation of the private rented currently drafting new HMO legislation, sector, due to complete in spring 2016, which may introduce a Licensing will provide further analysis. Scheme with a new defi nition for Housing benefi t continues to play a vital HMOs and new regulatory standards. role in supporting the private rented It is expected this legislation will be sector. At March 2015, 7,531 private introduced within the current Assembly tenants in Armagh City, Banbridge and timeframe. Craigavon Borough were in receipt of Social housing sector housing benefi t. Research completed Private sector development - Craigavon by Sheffi eld Hallam University in 2013 Housing need for Armagh City, and stakeholder feedback indicates that Banbridge and Craigavon Borough housing benefi t changes emanating from remained at a consistently high level Welfare Reform measures have had between 2010 and 2015. The 5-year Waiting Lists and Housing Needs trends a limited impact, with little evidence (2014/19) projected housing need for for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon of mass tenant/landlord movement the district identifi ed a requirement for 3500 out of the sector. However, anecdotal 317 units with the areas of greatest evidence would suggest that despite need being in North Lurgan, Armagh 1 local housing area and Banbridge the availability of discretionary housing 3000 payments some tenants are now Town. Single, elderly and small adult struggling to make up the difference households comprised approximately between housing benefi t allowance and 70% of the Armagh City, Banbridge 2500 rental charge. and Craigavon Borough waiting list in housing stress. Future housing mix in The Housing Executive is funding new build developments will need to 2000 Smartmove Housing to deliver a Private cater for these household groups along Rented Sector Access Scheme as part of with any potential changes associated 1500 a housing options approach, to expand with Welfare Reform. peoples housing choice and to prevent The Housing Executive continues to and/or reduce homelessness by using 1000 good quality, affordable property in undertake latent demand tests in the private rented sector. The scheme rural areas across Northern Ireland to provides support, information and assess hidden demand, in consultation 500 effective advice to clients by helping with local community representatives. them to live independently and sustain Housing needs for supported and 20142013201220112010 2015 2 their tenancy. traveller accommodation is dealt with under Theme three: Transforming U Total applicants U Housing stress As household groups, continue to reduce people’s lives. in size, houses in multiple occupation U Allocations (HMO) will continue to play a greater Where possible social housing need in Source: NIHE role in the housing market, particularly Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon for single households aged under 35. Borough has been delivered by housing There are currently an estimated 5,240 associations on Housing Executive HMOs in Northern Ireland, of which land in North Lurgan, Armagh City 111 are in Armagh City, Banbridge and Portadown. At March 2015, there and Craigavon Borough. All identifi ed were 57 units on site across Armagh HMOs in Armagh City, Banbridge and City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough

17 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

including schemes in Lurgan, Portadown, identifi cation studies for locations of Charlemont, Derrymore and Middletown. unmet need. These studies investigate potential sites, engage landowners Increasingly, areas of housing need and provide these details to housing are emerging in locations where the associations for investigation/ Housing Executive does not own land acquisition. A number of these studies such as North Lurgan, Banbridge Town have been carried out across Armagh and . Housing associations City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough report diffi culties in obtaining sites at the following locations: Derrytrasna in areas of housing need throughout and North Lurgan. Northern Ireland. This results in Housing development at Curran Street, housing associations having to acquire Delivery Portadown (Choice Housing) sites on the open market. To advise Due to Armagh City, Banbridge and housing associations and developers on Craigavon Borough’s popular location locations where there is a shortage of and growing population, there is a programmed development sites to meet need for additional housing across all the projected social housing need the tenures. Outcome One details action to Housing Executive publishes an Unmet identify housing need across tenures. Need Prospectus, found on the following Outcome Two reports the provision of link: affordable rented housing in Armagh http://www.nihe.gov.uk/unmet_social_ City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough. housing_need_prospectus.pdf Outcome Three looks at ways to support increasing numbers of households To further assist in this process, the entering the owner occupied market. Housing Executive undertakes site

CASE STUDY 1 Clanmil Housing scheme at Bayview Park, Derrymore Derrymore is situated approximately 6 ½ miles outside Lurgan, adjacent to , and forms part of Aghagallon local housing area. A latent demand test was carried out in 2011/12 and found a need for additional social housing in the settlement. The Housing Executive owned a 0.23 ha site in Derrymore adjacent to Derrymore Road and Bayview Park. Clanmil Housing was nominated to develop general needs social housing on the site. Housing scheme at Bayview Park, Derrymore (Clanmil HA) The Housing Executive has been working closely with Clanmil Housing throughout the development of the scheme. Clanmil engaged fully with the Planning Service between 2013 and early 2014, to achieve planning permission to develop six units. In March 2014, Clanmil started on-site and the scheme is due to complete in 2015. The six unit scheme will provide a housing mix of two 3-bed houses and four 2-bed houses. In total, Clanmil Housing will invest £634k to deliver the new homes, with £268k in grant aid and £366k in private fi nance.

18 OUTCOME 1 IDENTIFY NEW HOUSING REQUIREMENTS Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook For 2014/15, there DRD will review Housing Growth Determine new housing were 840 new build Indicators for local development requirements for local housing starts (LPS) plans as part of the ongoing development planning well below the review of the RDS; through collaborative Housing Growth working between NIHE will update the Net Stock Indicator of 1,253 Housing Executive, Model (NSM) in 2015 following units per annum; DSD, NISRA and DRD; the 2015 household projections NIHE Net Stock Model by NISRA. The NSM will also be NIHE will deliver identifi ed a social updated in 2017 and 2019; updated objective housing requirement assessments NIHE will carry out a 5-year for 2,000 social units of affordable (2017/22) social housing need per annum for NI; housing (social and assessment for the district; intermediate housing) A latent demand test NIHE will carry out latent demand need by household for Poyntzpass village tests in rural areas to identify type; identifi ed need for a hidden need; six unit scheme; NIHE’s Housing Market NIHE will inform council of Assessment will NIHE assessed affordable housing need for provide an evidence demand for production of local development based cross tenure intermediate housing and community plan; trend analysis of the at 296 units per local housing market annum between NIHE will review Housing Market to supplement housing 2013/23; Geographies for NI and deliver Housing Market Assessments need assessment NIHE studies to (HMA) across NI; to inform local examine sites for development and social housing were NIHE will annually assess demand community planning; completed for two for intermediate housing for the Continuously evaluate locations; Derrytrasna district; and update housing and North Lurgan. NIHE will carry out site need assessment identifi cation studies to examine methodologies to sites for social housing; ensure they are Choice Housing will actively validated and based on market six of their completed best practice. dwellings at Curran Street, Portadown for intermediate housing.

19 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

OUTCOME 2 INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE RENTING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook At 1/4/2015, there were DSD approved a gross, 3-year Housing and planning seven schemes on site, (2015/18) SHDP that includes authorities will to provide 57 additional 15 schemes with 205 units for introduce effective social dwellings in the the district; policies to identify district; land for mixed tenure The gross SHDP 2015/16 and shared housing DSD’s Landlord for the district includes nine development through Registration scheme schemes to provide 103 units; the community commenced. At April 2015, NIHE will work with council planning and there were 9,779 private to deliver social housing sites development planning tenancies registered in the identifi ed in the extant area processes; borough; plan; Maximise public NIHE processed 5,087 new NIHE with DSD and HAs will funding in the social and private housing formulate a Delivery Strategy procurement and benefi t claims; for the SHDP ready for delivery of affordable NIHE average processing implementation in April 2016; housing; time (22.2 days) for new DOE and DSD will publish PPS Introduce developer public and private housing 22 ‘Affordable Housing’; contributions for benefi t claims was social housing; within the 25 day target DSD will continue to and fi ve days for claim implement landlord Monitor and evaluate amendments was also registration and tenancy the performance of within the eight day target; deposit schemes and analyse the private rented the data received; sector to assess NIHE funded the effectiveness in Smartmove private DSD will complete a meeting affordable rented sector access fundamental review of the housing need; scheme across NI for private rented sector in 2016; approximately £110,000. NIHE plan to process new Introduce effective public and private housing regulation for the benefi t claims within the 25 private rented sector day target and housing benefi t to maintain physical claim amendments within and management eight days; standards. NIHE has made £450,000 available to fund Smartmove private rented sector access scheme across NI for 2015/16.

20 OUTCOME 3 ASSIST HOME OWNERSHIP Performance Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook 2014/15 51 NIHE properties NIHE and housing associations will Deliver mixed were sold to tenants; implement the House Sales and Equity tenure housing Sharing Scheme; schemes in Co-ownership communities Housing assists DSD has committed funding of £15m to through planning; those on a Co-ownership for 2015/16 with a target low income to of 300 approvals for Northern Ireland; Introduce a access the owner developer DSD will pilot a number of initiatives in occupied sector. contribution to NI using the Affordable Housing Fund 154 properties increase the supply to deliver affordable housing. These were purchased of intermediate include; through the scheme housing; in Armagh City, 1. £19m to provide up to 600 Deliver fi nance Banbridge and affordable homes; models to make Craigavon Borough 2. £5m to date in Financial better use of over the past year; Transactions Capital (FTC) funding funding for for a Rent to Purchase scheme NIHE identifi ed three intermediate (being delivered by Co-Ownership); surplus sites in NI for housing; 3. £9.2m in FTC funding to an Empty inclusion in a pilot Homes scheme (being delivered by Deliver a range intermediate housing Clanmil); of intermediate scheme using the 4. developing intermediate housing housing Affordable Housing on surplus NIHE land (Clanmil and products, such as Fund, none of which APEX). intermediate rent; are in the council area. DOE and DSD will work to fi nalise PPS Deliver a self-build 22 ‘Affordable Housing’ to facilitate affordable housing intermediate housing; model. NIHE with HAs will investigate potential for community self-build products for home ownership.

21 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019 THEME TWO Improving people’s homes

Challenges and opportunities The 2011 HCS fi ndings indicate that Key Issues a high level of the most vulnerable Housing has a major impact on people’s households are residing within the • Unfi tness was recorded at 4% - lives, therefore it is essential to provide oldest properties and will continue 5% of dwellings in Armagh City, good quality, sustainable housing to have a reliance on some form of Banbridge and Craigavon Borough across all tenures to meets the needs assistance to maintain their homes. in 2011 (House Condition Survey of our residents and to provide the 2011); foundation for thriving communities. It The Housing Executive provides grants is also vital that measures to improve to private sector landlords and owner • Grant funding for house the environmental sustainability of our occupiers to assist them to maintain improvements across all tenures is homes are benefi cial to the poorest their properties and prevent them reducing; in society. This section considers the from falling into unfi tness or disrepair. • Households living in dwellings condition of the Armagh City, Banbridge However, discretionary grant funding with lower energy effi cient ratings and Craigavon Borough housing stock has reduced to £1.4m for 2015/16 are most likely to be vulnerable and outlines the various strategies to across Northern Ireland. Therefore, the people including older people or address unfi tness, disrepair and energy objective to reduce unfi tness in private those on low incomes; ineffi ciency. housing will require more innovative • The cost of fuel and low incomes ways of maximising outcomes within Housing conditions remain important determinants the funding available. DSD’s “Review of of whether a household is in fuel Between 2006 and 2011, the unfi tness Support for Repair and Improvement in poverty. Other issues linked to fuel rates increased in the former Armagh, the Private Housing Sector” consultation poverty include older dwellings, Banbridge and Craigavon districts. document reports that a pilot loans households in isolated rural The main causes of rising unfi tness scheme will be introduced in 2015/16. locations, households headed by levels have been identifi ed as reduced older persons and unemployment. grant funding and decreased consumer spending on housing maintenance. The Northern Ireland Housing Market Review Unfitness rates % Decent Homes Standards % 2014 also highlighted a link between the 7 90 increasing level of unfi tness and a rise in the rate of vacancies, particularly in isolated rural areas. The graph adjacent 6 shows unfi tness between 2001 and 2011 80 in the former Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon districts. 5 A decent home considers a wider range 70 of indicators beyond unfi tness and is one that meets modern standards in terms 4 of fi tness, structure, energy effi ciency 60 and facilities. The 2011 House Condition Survey (HCS) estimated that 14% of dwellings in the former Armagh District 3 and 13% in the former Banbridge 50 District were recorded as failing decent home standards, while in Craigavon the 2 2001 2006 2011 2001 2006 2011 fi gure was 10%. U NI U Armagh U Banbridge U Craigavon U NI U Armagh U Banbridge U Craigavon Source: House Condition Survey Source: House Condition Survey

23 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Fuel Poverty Rates % Table 3: Household heating costs Housecoal Electricity Standard Oil (Kerosene) Firmus First 45 (£) Domestic Tariff Litre 2000 kWh 50 Kg 1 Unit (Pence) (Pence) (Pence) % Change 40.8% 57% 71% 48% 40 Source: Housing Executive

35 Energy efficiency prices in early 2015, this objective will remain a challenge, as this price trend is The Housing Executive has a key unlikely to be lasting. 30 role under the 1995 Home Energy Conservation Act to identify, promote In tackling fuel poverty, the Warm and monitor progress of energy Homes Scheme has seen £150m effi ciency throughout all tenures in the invested across 120,000 properties 25 residential sector in Northern Ireland. in Northern Ireland since 2001. The The last House Condition Survey 2001 2006 2011 Housing Executive has now developed (HCS) carried out in 2011, recorded the Affordable Warmth Scheme to a 22.5% improvement in the energy replace the Warm Homes Scheme. NI U Armagh Banbridge Craigavon U U U effi ciency of the occupied housing Aimed at helping to alleviate fuel Source: House Condition Survey stock in Northern Ireland between 1996 poverty in targeted vulnerable and 2011. Evidence would suggest households in the owner-occupied that the Northern Ireland fi gures are and private rented sectors, the key broadly representative of Armagh City, objectives of the scheme are: Banbridge and Craigavon Borough. 1. to deliver energy effi ciency measures Considerable progress has been made to to 9,000 households annually by 31 date in upgrading the energy effi ciency March 2017; of all housing stock across all tenures 2. each new council is expected to in Northern Ireland. However, fuel deliver 1,000 completed Affordable poverty remains an issue, mainly due Warmth surveys to the Housing to high fuel prices and low household Executive annually. incomes. There is a high level of In Northern Ireland, the Boiler dependency on home heating oil with Replacement Scheme has helped more 68% of households in Northern Ireland than 17,500 households to upgrade their continuing to rely on kerosene to heat central heating boilers. The scheme their homes. Table 3 shows the increase has received approval to run for one in the cost of key sources of energy more year with funding for £2m. Bryson between April 2007 and July 2014. House has also engaged to develop DSD’s vision of eradicating fuel poverty a network of oil-buying clubs across remains a challenge in Armagh City, Northern Ireland to deliver better value Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, for tenants. given that between 40% and 45% of The Northern Ireland Building Regulations households were classifi ed as being in legislative amendments in February fuel poverty in 2011 (HCS 2011). This is 2014 mean that by 2020 there will a comparable to the Northern Ireland fi gure new regulatory requirement for all new of 42%. Despite the fall in oil and gas buildings to be zero-energy buildings.

24 Housing Executive Maintenance establishing an initial 5 Year Investment Investment Strategy Plan to cover the period 2016-2021. The overall approach to effective asset In its aim to achieve the Decent Homes management is designed to ensure standards for all its tenants by 2020/21, delivery and maintenance of better homes the Housing Executive’s Landlord for the long term, and is illustrated below. Services fi rst delivered its Maintenance Investment Strategy in 2004. The An interim investment programme has reduction in capital funding from 2008/09, been developed for the 2015/16 period, meant the strategy was revised in 2011 which will reintroduce a programme to adopt programme priorities of kitchen of capital improvements across the replacements and heating upgrading Housing Executive stock. For further Double Glazing Installation - Banbridge as the optimum approach to achieving information on scheme details please Decent Homes Standards within the see Appendix 2. budgets available. In the interim, the The Housing Executive’s Stock Transfer Programme for Government introduced a Programme is also being undertaken target of all social housing having double- in response to the Minister’s target glazing installed by 2015. to transfer 2,000 homes to housing In taking forward a future investment associations. The programme will be strategy, the Housing Executive’s based on estates which demonstrate Landlord Services and the DSD jointly signifi cant investment needs. Tranche 1 commissioned an independent stock of the programme has been confi rmed condition survey of the Housing Executive’s and four estates have been selected, properties in summer 2014. The findings none of which are located within from this will be used to develop a Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon new Asset Management Strategy. The Borough. Strategy will set out long-term priorities for investment in stock, as well as

ASSET 5 Year Improvements to achieve Decent MANAGEMENT Investment Plan Homes Standard. STRATEGY Including key elements Multi-Storey Comprehensive review of Strategy investment need options for all multi-storey blocks.

Cyclical Servicing of heating systems, Maintenance grounds maintenance, updating of Programmes smoke alarms, etc.

Effi cient day to day All tenant reported repairs plus repairs service change of tenancy needs.

25 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Housing association stock rates. Housing Executive rents are lower than housing associations in Northern Most housing association properties Ireland, and around £20 a week less were constructed during the past twenty than the average rent for similar local to thirty years and have been built to authority accommodation in . lifetime home standards. Each housing association prepares maintenance Delivery programmes for its own stock however, Constructing sustainable dwellings housing associations report that the through improved design and materials, majority of their dwellings are in good will improve residents’ well-being. condition and the programme for planned Investment and high standards of maintenance work is therefore limited. maintenance help sustain healthy Social housing rents people and communities. Investment in the energy effi ciency of a home affects DSD, under the Social Housing Reform health, household expenditure and the Programme, is currently developing a environment. This is, therefore, a key rent policy for social housing in Northern area for housing investment within Ireland, which will determine future Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon social housing rent charges when Borough Council. Set out overleaf completed. Rents collected provide are investment and actions, which funding to allow the social housing will contribute to achieving the two landlords (including the Housing outcomes associated with Theme Two; Executive Landlord Services) to carry out ‘improve the quality of housing stock’ programmes of work on their dwellings. and ‘develop low carbon homes and For 2015/16, the Housing Executive’s reduce fuel poverty’. average rent charge increased by £3.08 per week, raising it to £66.60, excluding

26 CASE STUDY 2 Double Glazing in Lurgan Housing Executive tenants in the Aghagallon, Wakehurst and Taghnevan areas of Lurgan are now looking through new double glazed windows and at the same time benefi tting from warmer homes. Work was completed to 216 homes in the area during Spring 2015. This represented an investment of over £313k by the Housing Executive in its stock. The South Area Manager was pleased with the work being carried out by the contractor, Bann Ltd, and said: “This is a terrifi c boost for our tenants; I am delighted we have been able to progress this scheme. Over the years our homes have been regularly upgraded and maintained and in this contract the single glazed windows which have reached the end of their useful life are being replaced with uPVC double glazed units. With their replacement our tenants will benefi t from greater energy effi ciency, noise reduction, warmer homes, and lower heating costs in their homes.” Tenants who have received their new double-glazing report a high degree of satisfaction, with one tenant Shauna Maguire, saying: “It was great to see the new windows go in and I’ve already noticed the benefi ts of a warmer home and less noise. I am looking forward to seeing lower heating bills too.”

Double glazing installation

27 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

OUTCOME 4 IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE HOUSING STOCK Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook Funding for discretionary Funding of discretionary Identify unfi tness renovation grants was £120k and renovation grants for 2015/16 and decent NIHE administered 11 approvals is £91k; home standards and 10 completions; through House DSD and NIHE will introduce Condition Survey NIHE administered a pilot loan scheme for reports; approximately £188k for 89 private house maintenance mandatory repair notices; in NI in 2015/16 with funding Deliver policies of £1m; to support NIHE registered 111 identifi ed sustainable HMOs; Repair notices issued by design and councils on private rented NIHE completed 29,005 response improve the landlords can be recovered maintenance jobs at a cost of building fabric of through a mandatory grant of £4.51m; dwellings; up to £7,500; 98.18% of NIHE response NIHE will NIHE stock condition survey maintenance repairs were maintain will complete in 2015 and completed within the required properties in line inform Asset Management target time; with its Asset Strategy; 100% of all response Management Funding for all NIHE planned maintenance repairs were Strategy; maintenance schemes in carried out to our customer’s Deliver 2015/16 is estimated at satisfaction; innovative £5.77m; NIHE completed planned approaches Funding for NIHE Capital maintenance work to 1,055 to fi nance the Improvement schemes in properties at a cost of £6.60m. maintenance 2015/16 is estimated at of the housing £0.88m; stock across all There are no estates within tenures. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough included in Tranche 1 of the Stock Transfer Programme.

28 OUTCOME 5 DEVELOP LOW CARBON HOMES AND REDUCE FUEL POVERTY Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook NIHE funded £1.410m NIHE will implement Affordable Deliver research on for the installation of Warmth scheme. Funding of 1. fuel poverty, insulation, new heating £16.5m is available for 2015/16 2. energy effi ciency systems or both to 1,001 across 11 districts; of housing stock, private properties; NIHE will implement the Boiler 3. good design NIHE funded Replacement scheme to 2016, and building replacement of 720 with an available budget of £2m materials; boilers at a cost of across NI, £156k of which has Promote energy £504k; been allocated to South Area; effi ciency NIHE installed double NIHE’s 2015/16 energy effi ciency awareness; glazing to 410 dwellings programme includes 5 schemes Develop and promote at a cost of £670k; for 539 units; alternative natural NIHE completed heating NIHE funded energy effi ciency energies to improve installations to 756 awareness programme will be environmental dwellings in the council delivered annually to 160 schools wellbeing and area; across NI by Bryson Energy; combat fuel poverty in the home; NIHE funded Bryson Bryson Energy has been appointed Energy to provide energy by NIHE to develop a network of Deliver zero carbon effi ciency awareness oil buying clubs across NI until dwellings within the visits to 27 schools; 2018 to negotiate lower fuel SHDP; prices for club members; Two oil buying clubs Reduce fuel poverty. have recently been set During 2015/16, 1,000 PV panels up in the council area at will be installed in NIHE properties Richmount (Portadown) across NI, valued at £6m. There and (Moira/ are 100 installations planned in Lurgan). .

29 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019 THEME THREE Transforming people’s lives

Challenges and opportunities quality services are delivered, providers Key Issues are assessed and monitored via a Quality Community planning offers an opportunity Assessment Framework. • Identify a needs assessment to foster a more holistic environment for model for Supported Housing; health and social care for all our citizens. The Housing Executive’s Supporting Community planning can lead to better People programme is able to unify the • Resettlement of clients from long quality services and more effi cient use of interests of three separate government stay hospital into the community; resources which will be essential within functions. The three key partners from • Development of community the context of an ageing community and housing, health and probation can services to meet the needs of increasing austerity measures. commission services at a local Trust older people; level through the Area Supporting People A strong and sustainable community Partnerships (ASPP). This forum facilitates • Tackle homelessness in line with benefi ts from inclusion and responds to any of these agencies in bringing the Homelessness Strategy; the needs of all its members, including forward a proposal for the development those who are vulnerable; it recognises • Improve housing options for of a service based on an established that vulnerability is not necessarily homeless clients; need. The ASPP will determine which permanent and therefore provides for a • Develop a new Traveller priorities require a full business case range of general needs and specialist Accommodation Programme; to be progressed to the Commissioning support services, regardless of age. A Body. The future commissioning housing • Implement recommendations of sustainable community also intends support services will focus on three Inter Departmental Review of that individuals can access housing to priority groups: older people, those with Housing Adaptations Services. the minimum decent home standards to learning disabilities and mental health remain independent in housing for as problems, and the homeless. long as possible. The Housing Executive’s Supporting People Programme, Homeless Supporting People services provide: Services and Travellers Programme aim Supporting People Programme • Short term accommodation based to provide people with the right housing support for those in housing need; options and support to enable and sustain der Person • Longer term support to enable Ol s independent living in the community. sustained tenancies; A partnership approach is required Prob • Short term fl oating support for at to ensure the allocation of resources E io M H n vulnerable adults to maintain I e B effectively to those with the greatest N Supporting L n o e t

a

a independence in their own home; and a

People l r

r

d d need. n H

• For clients with complex needs, i e

Programme n s s

a g

s

l

e t

D

Supporting People support is delivered on a peripatetic H

l

h

d d &

r i e

S a s

C C o

P B

a

m

r

basis in their home. b o

o

i

l b

The Supporting People programme is i H t l

i

e e s s

m

s a government programme for housing The spend for the 2014/15 programme a

n related support, which brings together for Armagh City, Banbridge and d a number of separate programmes that Craigavon Borough was £5.14m. The fund both specialised accommodation programme consisted of 71 services, and accommodation based support supporting over 1,387 vulnerable services for a range of client groups. The people at any time and delivered by 25 programme establishes the means to organisations, the majority of whom manage accommodation on a partnership were voluntary and community based. basis, and to strategically commission Other service providers include housing housing related support services to tackle associations, Health and Social Care social exclusion by preventing crisis and Trusts and the Housing Executive. A more costly interventions. To ensure breakdown is set out in Table 4.

31 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Table 4: Supported Housing Services 2014/15 Type of service Client group No. of No. of Max. annual Actual payments Max. no. of schemes Providers contracted funding (£k) 2014/15 (£k) Service Users Accommodation Older People 30 6 686 544 705 Based Services Homelessness 4 2 917 895 62 Learning Disability 16 6 1,669 1,601 161 Mental Health 13 4 1,398 1,224 137 Physical Disability 3 2 293 264 44 66 20 4,963 4,528 1,109 Floating Support Older People 1 1 107 74 40 Services Mental Health 1 1 44 44 25 Homelessness 1 1 313 333 145 Physical Disability 1 1 71 71 38 Young People 1 1 91 91 30 5 5 626 613 278 Grand Total 71 25 5,589 5,141 1,387 Source: Housing Executive

Following the Bamford Review, the older people needs to feed into future majority of long-stay hospital clients with commissioning. a learning disability or mental illness who Further research and policy reviews for were identifi ed for resettlement within the sector includes: the community have been rehoused. The fi nal phase of this process to 1. A strategic review of the Supporting resettle clients with the most complex People policy, programme and needs is expected to complete in the procedures; near future. Future planning will mean 2. Develop a needs assessment methodology for supported housing consideration being given to broadening services; housing options for people with learning 3. Evaluate accommodation based disabilities and to respond to the needs Supporting People schemes. of people living with ageing carers. Homelessness The population of older persons in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon The Northern Ireland Homelessness Borough is projected to increase to 16.8% Strategy 2012-17 was launched in of the populace by 2023. Longer life May 2012 with a vision to eliminate expectancy is associated with greater long-term homelessness and rough prevalence of health conditions, such sleeping across Northern Ireland by 2020. Within the Armagh City, Banbridge as strokes, dementia, mobility problems and Craigavon Borough the three main and ability to manage ‘self-care’ tasks, reasons for homeless presentation are: which affect housing, support and care requirements. The Housing Executive 1. Sharing breakdown/family dispute; is undertaking research to assess 2. Accommodation not reasonable; and 3. Loss of rented accommodation.

32 Table 5 shows the trends of homelessness Information from the latest needs Table 5: Homeless statistics in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon assessment identifi ed a requirement for Year Borough over the past five years. a service site in Craigavon. There is a range of temporary Adaptations services accommodation available within the The Adaptations Service forms a key Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon element of the Housing Executive’s

Borough including 33 privately owned No. of Homeless Presenters No. of Homeless Acceptances Households placed in temporary acc. strategic commitment to sustaining single lets and 57 hostel placements. independent living, developing 2010/11 1,491 574 72 The Housing Executive introduced a arrangements for effective joined up 2011/12 1,431 504 70 private rented sector access Scheme working between housing and health 2012/13 1,340 514 53 operated by Smartmove in 2014 across organisations, improving standards and Northern Ireland. This frontline service targeting resources towards those most 2013/14 1,330 514 99 provides the customer with an alternative in need. 2014/15 1,419 534 99 housing option to waiting for social A range of demographic, social and Source: Housing Executive housing in high demand areas. The medical indicators forecast a signifi cant scheme removes the need for costly up increase in future demand on health, front deposits. In addition, the service will social care and housing services in seek to prevent homelessness where a Northern Ireland. As a result, the need customer’s existing private tenancy is in for adaptations will continue to rise. The danger of breaking . DSD and Department of Health, Social Homelessness services within the Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Housing Executive are currently in partnership with the Housing undergoing significant redesign as part of Executive have therefore completed an the organisation’s ‘Journey to Excellence’. Inter-Departmental Review of Housing Central to this, is the implementation Adaptation Service. of a housing options service, including The Review recommendations include agreement on a common assessment the need for improvements in inter framework with partner agencies and departmental and cross agency co access to a centralised homeless support operation in the development and service. The review will seek to provide delivery of policy and services and the a framework against which homeless provision of a Housing Options Service support services are tested in order to pilot to support people in making choices identify gaps and inform commissioning about their housing. Recommendations priorities. from the Review have been incorporated Travellers programme into an Action Plan, which is currently being considered for approval by the The Housing Executive has a statutory Northern Ireland Executive. The Review responsibility for the provision and recommendations can be viewed at the management of accommodation following link: for the Traveller Community across Northern Ireland. The third Travellers http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/advice/ Accommodation Needs assessment disability/adaptations/advice-review-of­ carried out across Northern Ireland in housing-adaptations-services.htm 2013/14 updates the previous Needs Assessments of 2002 and 2008.

33 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Table 6: Disabled Facilities Grants Owner-occupiers and landlords can housing authorities to identify specifi c Year 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 access adaptations through our private properties that may meet the needs of sector grants scheme. Occupational a particular group of applicants on the DFGs approved 144 145 110 116 Therapists carry out assessments in social housing waiting list. The stock order to determine the housing needs profi le within Armagh City, Banbridge and Funding (£k) 1,758 1,304 802 989 of disabled people. Table 6 shows the Craigavon Borough, which may support Source: Housing Executive number of disabled facilities grants independent living, is detailed in Table 7. approved and associated funding in The Accessible Housing Register will Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon help to minimise waste by assisting Table 7: Accessible NIHE stock Borough from 2011 to 2015. social landlords to make more effective Property Type No For social housing tenants, all housing use of their existing adapted stock. Bungalows 2,427 adaptations are tailored to meet A key issue is that social landlords Mobility bungalows* 629 individual needs. Over the last fi ve years, must strive to ensure adapted stock is the Housing Executive Landlord Services Properties adapted via extension 170 occupied by those on the waiting list carried out 259 major adaptations to its who need accessible housing. Currently, Properties with vertical lifts 22 own properties at a cost of £3.8m within the Housing Executive is actively Properties with stair lifts 31 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon considering initiatives for incentivising Ground fl oor fl ats 434 Borough. voluntary relocation of able tenants from *a subset of bungalows The majority of new social dwellings adapted stock when it is required. Source: Housing Executive are built to lifetime home standards, The table below sets out demand and which have been developed to ensure supply trends for wheelchair applicants that a home is fl exible, adaptable in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon and accessible. DSD and the Housing Borough. Executive are also working with key stakeholders to develop policy Evidence from the Inter-Departmental approaches and design models to help Review of Adaptations indicated a lack address the housing needs of wheelchair of information of “property accessibility users and others with accessibility features” in the private sector. The problems. development of a voluntary code of good practice for those renting or purchasing The development of an Accessible in the private sector has been identifi ed Housing Register (AHR) for social housing as an OFMDFM signature project. This has been identifi ed as a recommendation will result in the development of a within the Inter-Departmental Review Adapted Bathroom within home Northern Ireland Private Sector Housing of Adaptations. An accessible housing Access Report. register is an information tool to enable

Table 8: Wheelchair Statistics 31/03/13 31/03/14 31/03/15 Wheelchair applicants on the waiting list 31 30 43 Wheelchair applicants in housing stress on 27 24 37 the waiting list Wheelchair applicants allocated social 25 9 7 housing in past year Access ramp adaptation Source: Housing Executive

34 A Design Standards and Communication Delivery Toolkit was launched by the Ministers A key factor in creating sustainable for Housing and Health in April 2014. communities is to ensure that people The toolkit will help disabled and older who have traditionally been marginalised people visualise and discuss proposed in society can be helped to live within housing adaptations. The Housing the community. Therefore, in the tables Adaptations Design Communications overleaf are investment and actions, Toolkit is the product of cross sector which have and will contribute to collaborative working with disabled achieving our two outcomes ‘provide people, occupational therapists and suitable accommodation and support housing designers/providers. services for vulnerable residents’ and ‘homelessness is prevented or is addressed effectively’.

CASE STUDY 3 Homecare Independent Living – Southern Area Floating Support Service The Homecare Independent Living service was remodelled in 2010 and now provides a housing support service for up to 145 individuals and families cross the Southern Area. Homecare’s vision is one of ‘strong communities served by well managed housing related support services where all individuals reach their highest potential for independent living’. Homecare Floating Support is a short-term intervention service for people who are having diffi culties in managing their home; people facing homelessness and other housing related support needs. They provide person-centred support to allow individuals and families to remain independent in the community. Service User Meeting This Floating Support Service is available to single people aged over 25 years and families living in any type of accommodation, including homeowners. Some of the housing support duties provided include: • Assistance with form completion/letter writing • Befriending and encouragement • Addiction management & signposting • Money management • Nutritional advice • Employment and training guidance & signposting • Home management • Emotional support Homecare believe that in order to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness; effective preventative measures must be put in place for this problem to be reduced or resolved. Supporting Independent Living

35 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

OUTCOME 6 PROVIDE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook NIHE funded the The gross, 3-year (2015/18) SHDP Establish a Supporting People contains three supported housing supported housing programme at a cost schemes for 51 units; need assessment of £5.14m; methodology by client £5.21 million has been approved group; NIHE spent £345k on to deliver the Supporting People 110 adaptations to programme for 2015/16; Maintain their properties; collaborative working DSD and NIHE to complete review practices between NIHE approved 116 of Supporting People Strategy by NIHE, Health Trusts and completed 87 2016; and Probation Service disabled facilities NIHE initiated research to identify to deliver innovation, grants, spending supported housing needs by client capacity and housing £970k; group; care and support NIHE monitored Complete NIHE research to evaluate services; the requirement accommodation based Supporting Promote independent for wheelchair People schemes; living through accommodation; NIHE will monitor and review • information The 2013/18 Traveller services through the contract • disabled facilities need assessment management framework and take grants has identifi ed the actions to remodel /realign services • adaptations requirement for as needed; a Service site in Research and review Craigavon. NIHE have funding of £870k for the strategic direction disabled facilities grants for the and delivery services private sector in 2015/16; of supporting people NIHE will provide adaptations to programme, to inform their properties if needed; future commissioning plans for each client NIHE will assess need for social group; wheelchair housing. Identify and meet Traveller accommodation needs within communities.

36 OUTCOME 7 HOMELESSNESS IS PREVENTED OR IS ADDRESSED EFFECTIVELY Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook NIHE confi rmed 1,419 NIHE will work with Deliver a framework homeless applications were organisations to deliver and model for a fully received and 534 applicants homeless services, in operational housing were awarded Full Duty line with Homelessness options service; Applicant status; Strategy 2012/17; Ensure information is NIHE processed all homeless NIHE will review the readily available across applications within the 33 Homelessness Strategy all tenures to meet the working day target; in 2017; needs of a housing options service; NIHE provided a fi nancial Widen homeless advice inclusion and debt through a Housing Maintain and improve prevention service to help Options Service to collaborative working tenants cope with fi nancial prevent homelessness; arrangements to provide insecurity; services to homeless Enhance the work in people; All new NIHE tenants had the pilot private rented support needs identifi ed sector access scheme to Deliver an adequate under Tenancy Support prevent homelessness. supply of permanent Needs Assessments; NIHE have made £450k accommodation to prevent available to fund the homelessness and repeat NIHE funded the Smartmove Smartmove private homelessness; to provide a private rented rented access scheme sector access scheme Maximise return on across NI for 2015/16. across NI to the value of funding for temporary approximately £110k to homeless accommodation. prevent homelessness and a rising waiting list.

37 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019 THEME FOUR Enabling sustainable neighbourhoods

Challenges and opportunities which are characterised by a range of Key Issues issues, beyond environmental dereliction Regenerating neighbourhoods is vital and blight. • Regenerate areas to encourage to increase opportunities that connect economic investment and create local people to create economically The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation opportunities for employment, viable places that will not only benefi t Measure 2010 (NIMDM) looks at a range skills development and capacity the physical environment they live of deprivation measures, incorporating building; in, but also in improving resident’s economic, social and environmental overall quality of life and wellbeing. indicators. The NIMDM shows that in • Improve the environment by An important role for housing providers 2010 within Armagh, Banbridge and creating vibrant urban and rural will be to foster a sense of identity, to Craigavon deprivation was highest in spaces; encourage investment and to reduce parts of Central Craigavon and North • Promote mixed use and mixed deprivation. A priority includes ensuring Lurgan. Whilst the vast majority of tenure neighbourhoods which that communities are welcoming to all Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon provide a range of housing options people regardless of their religion, race or Borough, enjoy relatively low levels and a sustainable community; economic background. of deprivation, approximately 10% of the population live amongst the most • Support shared communities; Urban regeneration disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland. • Tackle crime and antisocial Regeneration can be defi ned as Deprivation is especially prevalent behaviour; activities that reverse economic, social in social housing estates where and physical decline in areas where • Encourage local participation communities can feel marginalised. market forces will not do this without to engage in delivery of quality Signifi cant investment by the Housing the support of government. To continue homes and places. Executive’s Landlord Services within to build vibrant and welcoming places the Central Craigavon estates over past within Armagh City, Banbridge and decades has demonstrated the positive Craigavon Borough, it will be important impact of regeneration initiatives to help that local communities are involved in stabilise the housing market and deliver decision making in their neighbourhoods stronger, sustainable communities. to identify priorities and plan solutions. There are currently a number of DSD has responsibility for strategic led regeneration initiatives ongoing within regeneration of regionally important the Armagh, Craigavon, Lurgan and sites, including those with mixed tenure. Portadown Neighbourhood Renewal The Housing Executive will complement Areas, which aim to tackle deprivation, this through the delivery of a ‘housing as well as develop communities; these led’ approach to physical and social are scheduled to run until 2016 when regeneration in local communities. An the regeneration function will transfer area, which has undergone successful to councils. ‘housing led’ regeneration, will be Visible signs of blight and decline of interest to developers, bring new are also indicators of the need for investment, improve neighbourhoods and regeneration. This is evident in empty public realm and will increase residents’ homes, vacant commercial properties, access to work. However, it is generally and derelict sites within urban and rural recognised that to achieve long-term areas. In 2014, the Housing Executive’s sustainable renewal, a holistic approach Empty Homes Unit recorded a relatively should be taken. In order to best target small number of empty properties (107) investment, the community plan may in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon seek to tie physical intervention in areas, Borough. The Housing Executive, in

39 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Multiple Deprivation Measure

NI Amenity Council Awards Best Kept Large Housing Area 2014 – Folly Estate

Source: NISRA

partnership with DSD and housing DSD’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) associations, is working to deliver Framework 2014 provides for a change the Empty Homes Action Plan, which in management and/or ownership of investigates the potential for returning land or buildings, from public bodies to long-term empty dwellings to use to communities. CAT promotes a range of meet housing need. benefi ts such as regeneration, providing additional community facilities, Due to the weak economy and the community cohesion, capacity building rise of internet shopping, high levels and enabling effective partnerships of empty commercial properties exist between the public sector and local which has especially affected urban communities. CAT is currently being centres. The commercial property worked out through ten pilot schemes. consultants Lisney stated that in 2013, The Housing Executive’s Landlord 3.6% of retail units were vacant in Service currently has 44 properties let Craigavon and 22.2% in Portadown. to registered charities and communities Figures for Armagh and Lurgan were not groups delivering a range of provided in the report. DSD and local neighbourhood services in Armagh City, councils, together with key stakeholders, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough. have come together to produce master plans for urban and village centres The Building Successful Communities throughout the district. This aims to initiative is part of the Housing Strategy deliver physical and environmental for Northern Ireland and aims to use improvements, remove dereliction and housing intervention as one of the main create economic opportunities for new catalysts for neighbourhood regeneration. and existing businesses. DSD will work collaboratively across government, with the Housing Executive,

40 housing associations, and communities to The range of opportunities for improve housing and infrastructure. employment and education as well as the rich diversity of the County Regeneration Forums have now been Armagh landscape promotes these established in each of the six pilot areas rural settlements in particular as to take work forward and develop plans desirable places to live. For this reason, with tailor-made economic, physical and demand for rural housing generally social interventions to meet community outstrips supply. For many young needs. The key lessons learned from the rural households, house and land six pilots will inform the future roll out of prices, land availability and low rates this initiative throughout Northern Ireland. of development will rule out owner DSD is funding a pilot initiative with occupation in the short to medium term. Drumellan Community Let voluntary and community sectors The propensity for owner occupation to examine the policy and practice in rural areas will also result in limited associated with Social Enterprise. Social opportunity for the private rented sector enterprises are defined as businesses to offer affordable accommodation. with primarily social objectives whose There is a requirement for more social profits are reinvested to achieve these and affordable rural housing in the objectives in a community. Social Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon enterprises can assist the regeneration Borough council area. At January 2015 of an area by trading to tackle social there were 205 applicants in rural problems, improve communities and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon increase people’s life chances; for Borough in housing stress (17.3% of example, in creating jobs for people who the total waiting list), 65 of which might otherwise remain unemployed. were deemed as homeless. Whilst the The Housing Executive’s Landlord Service Housing Executive work closely with rural has developed its own Social Enterprise communities to identify housing need, the Strategy and is now seeking to promote provision of new social housing schemes social enterprise activity within its is becoming increasingly diffi cult due estates. to the smaller numbers often required Rural regeneration in rural schemes and the economies Outside urban settlements, the Armagh of scale associated with delivery and City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough management. council area encompasses a signifi cant Derrymacash and Derrytrasna have rural landscape. Rural communities featured on our unmet needs prospectus within the council area benefi t from this year however progressing proposals their close proximity to Armagh City to programming stage proves very and the towns of Portadown, Lurgan diffi cult for housing associations in rural and Banbridge. Both urban and rural areas. Site acquisition, fi nancial viability settlements within Armagh City, and the requirement for smaller schemes Banbridge and Craigavon Borough all contribute to this. Feedback from rural benefi t from their strategic location housing needs tests increasingly identify on the axis of the main East West and interest in low cost owner occupation North South economic corridors and the such as an equity sharing arrangement high quality transport infrastructure both and a need to diversify to provide more within the Northern Ireland and to the affordable and mixed tenure schemes. Republic of Ireland.

41 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Rural/Urban Geographies

• Rural settlement and hinterland <5,000 • Urban settlements >5,000

Source: Housing Executive

During 2015/16, the Housing Executive Executive worked in partnership with will review its ‘Rural Homes and People’ DARD, local councils and community policy and develop a new Rural Strategy groups to successfully match-fund 2016-2020, the aim of which will be to projects in , Tullysarron and enable partnership working to sustain villages within the Banbridge council vibrant rural communities. The Housing area at a total cost of £29,656 and Executive will have a greater focus over deliver signifi cant benefi ts to these rural the next four years on the diversifi cation communities. The Housing Executives of tenure and will work closely with annual ‘Rural Community Awards’ housing associations and DSD to examine competition continues to generate huge the potential for affordable and mixed interest with a high standard of entries. tenure schemes, refurbishment of empty The Housing Executive, DARD, Rural properties and community self-build. It Development Council, Rural Community is hoped that increased housing options Network and the Rural Residents Forum for young rural dwellers in particular, will will continue to build on good working help to sustain communities and boost relationships to ensure that housing the rural economy. services and housing support are The Housing Executive will seek to promoted and delivered in rural areas. build on the achievements of the Rural Community safety Action Plan 2013/2015 with a focus in particular on supporting the delivery Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon of the 2014/2020 Rural Development Borough is a safe place to live, with Programme (RDP). Over the last three falling levels of crime and anti-social years of the previous RDP, the Housing behaviour in recent years. However,

42 crime and the fear of crime remain an 1. tackling crime; Table 9: Anti-Social Behaviour incidents important issue for many communities. 2. fear of crime; Year Anti-Social Behaviour In the district crime has reduced over 3. anti-social behaviour. incidents the past three years from 9,824 offences The Housing Executive, the PSNI, the in 2011/12 to 9,470 in 2013/14. While 2009/10 6,565 Youth Justice Agency and councils recorded incidents of anti-social have developed information sharing 2010/11 6,087 behaviour has reduced by 19%, since protocols and three anti-social behaviour 2011/12 5,194 2009/10, there remains a need to reduce forums to address this work. The and prevent incidents of antisocial 2012/13 5,494 Housing Executive works to prevent behaviour such as noise nuisance, 2013/14 the potential for serious ASB problems 5,326 complaints about pets, graffi ti and through mediation. This approach has Source NINIS street drinking. In addition, segregation successfully contributed to the reduction is evident within areas of the district in anti-social behaviour crimes in with some neighbourhoods demarcated Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon through symbols such as murals and Borough since 2010. fl ags, meaning shared places and shared residential areas are diffi cult to achieve. The Housing Executive’s Community Safety Unit is considering a number of There are a number of strategies, which bids for the 2015/16 year. seek to address community safety in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon DSD is currently consulting on the Borough. The Department of Justice’s proposal to bring forward a new Community Safety Strategy for Northern measure to address ASB by the Ireland 2012-2017, ‘Building Safer, introduction of a short secure tenancy. Shared and Confi dent Communities’, Based on a model used in Scotland, identifi ed the need to focus on the proposal links demotion of tenancy prevention rather than cure in the effort to the acceptance of some form of to build safer communities and reduce assistance, the aim being to address anti-social behaviour. offending behaviour while at the same time sustaining tenancies. The Housing The Strategy includes new directions Executive will fully implement this in community safety, such as the action when it is introduced. establishment of the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs). Community cohesion PCSPs will build upon the progress Community cohesion is important made by Community Safety Partnerships to create balanced and stronger and District Policing Partnerships. communities, which are welcoming to all. The Housing Executive is one of the During 2014/15, the Housing Executive’s designated agencies on these new Cohesion Unit was funded £680k for bodies and plays an active role with schemes throughout Northern Ireland of other statutory groups, local political which approximately £20k was spent in leaders, voluntary and community Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon groups and local communities in the Borough. Cohesion funding for Northern effort to tackle local issues and build Ireland in 2015/16 has been set at safer communities. £1.125m for which the Cohesion Unit is The Housing Executive’s Community considering individual bid submissions. Safety Strategy 2014-2017 ‘Safer The Housing Executive’s Good Relations Together’ focuses on three themes: Strategy aims to tackle issues such as

43 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

segregation, race relations, emblems and (TBUC) strategy contains the objectives sectional symbols and interfaces. Good for a more united and shared society and relations is supported by the Housing improved community relations including Executive’s Good Relations Offi cer priorities for shared and safe housing who assists communities to develop areas. It also aims to reduce residential a bespoke Good Relations action plan segregation by promoting shared and delivering a community led approach mixed tenure communities. The Housing for their area by creating opportunities Executive is currently working with DSD to build relations through a series of in respect of delivering shared new build projects, events, programmes and visits schemes in the SHDP under TBUC. A to get best outcomes for all members Brookfi eld Community Association ‘raise Housing Stakeholders group has been in their community. A Race Relations a cuppa to success’ established to project monitor this Policy has been designed by the Housing initiative. There are currently no schemes Executive to promote good relations in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon between ethnic groups and local Borough receiving TBUC funding. communities. Community involvement The Housing Executive Building Relations in Communities (BRIC) The Housing Executive’s Community programme provided training on good Involvement Strategy 2014/17 forms the community relations and funding of £30k basis to enhance the social investment South Area Scrutiny Panel in 2014/15 to deliver the good relations and maximise the effect of community plans for estates in Portadown, Dromore involvement. There are a number of and Banbridge. This programme ended projects, which make up the strategy, in September 2014. A new BRIC 2 including: programme has been approved and • Tenant Scrutiny Panel where tenants six Good Relations Offi cers have been can hold the Housing Executive to recruited. This programme will run over account for the delivery of services a three-year period and will be based in at a local level; 76 estates throughout Northern Ireland. • Housing Community Forum Central The Housing Executive’s Shared Panel - One nomination from each Communities Programme sought to of the Housing Executives 13 Areas develop shared housing communities will sit as a member of this group, where people could choose to live with as will a member from each of the others regardless of their religion or four housing forums (rural, disability, race, in a neighbourhood that is safe and youth and BME). welcoming to all. Funding of £10k was The Housing Executive’s Landlord provided for the Brookfi eld Community Services has invested in community Association, Banbridge to carry out involvement by providing support this work during 2014/15. The Shared and funding through Supporting Communities Programme, concluded in Communities Northern Ireland (SCNI). December 2014, and a redesign of how SCNI liaises and assists with over 600 the Housing Executive will continue community groups in Northern Ireland to support shared housing is currently by providing training, information and being developed. funding advice. SCNI has supported the The Northern Ireland Executive’s: Housing Executive in developing the Together Building a United Community Housing Community Network (HCN),

44 which aims to involve residents in Delivery discussing, and developing their local Theme Four identifi es creating a services and addressing housing issues sustainable community where people generally. During 2014/15, the Housing want to live and work, now and in the Executive funded a number of local future as a key priority for Armagh City, community development schemes to the Banbridge and Craigavon Borough. A value of £15k, with approximately £15k successful community is safe, inclusive, available for 2015/16. offers equality of opportunity and In January 2015, the Minister launched services to people of all generations the Tenant Participation Strategy and backgrounds and allow residents Consultation. This will provide social to have a meaningful say in the housing tenants in Northern Ireland the way their neighbourhood is run. opportunity to give their views, helping Outcome eight examines actions and to shape the delivery of social housing investment to support the regeneration of neighbourhoods in Armagh City, and the services they receive from social Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and landlords. our ninth outcome looks at ways to support safer and cohesive communities.

CASE STUDY 4 Development of a Shared Community Facility, Ballygorman School House Association, Loughgilly Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas (SOAR), the joint committee and local action group for the council areas of Armagh, Craigavon and Newry and , funded a diverse range of projects aiming to improve and maintain the welfare of those living in rural areas. One such project, which was match-funded by the Housing Executive, involved the regeneration of an old school house in Loughgilly for use as a community facility. The old school house had been used for band practice and community activities but had no modern amenities. The community group applied for funding to refurbish and extend the hall in order to deliver basic services for the village and to support the community. The project involved, re-wiring, plumbing and plastering the building as well as installing a toilet block. The modernisation of the building has allowed the community group to create a facility that can be used to provide a greater variety of activities; a Women’s Group, Cookery Classes, Parent and Toddler Group, Youth Group, Flower Arranging, Local Vintage Club and evening classes on computer training. The total cost of the project was £34,340, of which the Housing Executive contributed £4,656. The transformation of the building has helped the community in a variety of ways, namely; encouraging people to live in the village, promoting a sense of community pride, supporting individuals who wish to improve their academic skillset and helping residents overcome barriers to employment through the provision of childcare and youth activities. Ballygorman Community Hall Barbara Robb, Ballygorman School House Committee commented; ‘As we now enter our completely refurbished hall unto which we have added a kitchen and disabled toilet, we can truly say that all our efforts have not been in vain but have been truly worthwhile. We can now look forward to making good use of our building both by ourselves and other groups who wish to hire our hall for different types of functions.’

45 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

OUTCOME 8 REGENERATE NEIGHBOURHOODS Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook DSD funding of £1.86m NIHE will implement an Deliver a model for was provided for empty homes scheme to housing led renewal and communities through meet social housing need; establish an associated Neighbourhood Renewal strategy and programme of NIHE will update and programmes; action; implement the Rural NIHE Rural Action Plan Strategy and Action Plans; Develop collaborative delivered a latent demand working arrangements DSD will review the test for Poyntzpass; between DSD, NIHE fi ndings of the Social and Councils to deliver DSD worked with Enterprise pilot to inform housing led regeneration Development Trusts policy development; in partnership with Northern Ireland NIHE will implement a communities; to develop a Social Social Enterprise Strategy Enterprise Policy; Maintain a Rural Housing and provide social Strategy and Rural Action NIHE initiated work investment fi nance; Plan to support sustainable on a Social Enterprise NIHE will transfer assets rural communities; Strategy; under the CAT framework Support local businesses DSD published a to deliver community and job creation through Community Asset Transfer regeneration; social enterprise; Framework; Promote housing led Improve the quality of NIHE currently has 44 regeneration through urban and rural design and properties leased to master planning proposals townscape quality in local registered charities and in urban and village communities. community groups to centres. allow the delivery of a range of services.

46 OUTCOME 9 CREATE SAFER AND COHESIVE COMMUNITIES Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook NIHE published its Safety Implement NIHE’s Community Prevent crime and Strategy 2014-17 (Safer Safety Strategy 2014-17. the fear of crime Together); Update the Strategy in 2017/18; especially amongst the most vulnerable in NIHE provided funding (£1,500) NIHE will continue to be a society; as a designated agency in local designated agency in the PCSPs; PCSPs; Reduce anti-social behaviour crime; During 2014/15, NIHE dealt Three bids totalling £50k have with 227 cases of reported anti­ been submitted from community Promote the social behaviour; groups for community safety development of projects in 2015/16; shared communities NIHE participated in three bi­ through education monthly ASB Forums to agree NIHE will continue to partner on programmes and actions on complex cases; anti-social behaviour Forum and shared new build Multi Agency Risk Assessment NIHE participated on a Risk developments; Conferences; Assessment Conference to Increase tenant address housing needs of NIHE will work to prevent involvement in the victims of domestic abuse; hate crimes through its Good management and Relations Strategy and Race NIHE delivered Building future development of Relations Policy; Relations in Communities (BRIC) their communities; programme in Portadown, NIHE will continue to provide Establish strong, Dromore and Banbridge; support to victims of domestic collaborative working abuse; Brookfi eld Community arrangements Association participated in NIHE will implement BRIC 2. between government NIHE’s Shared Community NIHE will promote the good agencies, voluntary Programme; neighbour charter and the organisations and fi ve cohesion themes of Race NIHE published a Community local community Relations, Communities in Involvement Strategy for 2014­ groups to support Transition, Interfaces, Flags, 17; community Emblems and Sectional regeneration. NIHE funded £15k for Symbols; community involvement work; NIHE has funding of £15k for NIHE funded SCNI to work community involvement projects with community groups for 2015/16; providing training in service NIHE will continue to fund SCNI delivery. SCNI assisted in the in their work with communities; establishment of the new South Area Tenant Scrutiny Panel. NIHE will implement the Community Involvement Strategy and update in 2017/18.

47 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019 THEME FIVE Delivering quality services

The Housing Executive is the UK’s The Housing Executive South Area is Landlord Services Main Functions largest social landlord, managing over made up of four local offices at Armagh, 88,600 homes in Northern Ireland. Banbridge, Lurgan and Portadown • Income collection including; rent, Landlord Service’s has developed a providing a comprehensive landlord leaseholders and commercial dedicated mission to deliver the best service to more than 7,700 tenanted property; services for tenants: properties. The 2014/15 year recorded • Housing improvements, the Area Office successfully achieving comprehensive response and to provide our customers all performance targets. Notably 99.82% planned maintenance programmes; of rent was collected, arrears decreased with good quality by £76k, voids were 0.59% of total stock • Community safety, cohesion and services/support at March 2015. Customer engagement integration work; remains paramount with 43,000 • Lettings and void management In keeping with the ‘Journey to customers calling at the four offices. and tenancy and estate Excellence’, the Housing Executive’s Some of our maintenance departments management; Landlord Services are working to are delivering the Journey to Excellence • Involving residents in Tenant improve services which are more Strategy to implement technology by Scrutiny Panels and in customer focused. Landlord Services has employing mobile hand tablets to record implementing the Community embarked on a ‘Build Yes’ programme, and send repair orders on site. Involvement Strategy; which includes a review of operational To achieve the four year and ten year structures reflecting the new local service delivery objectives will require • Helping tenants remain council boundaries from 1 April 2015. maximising income from the asset base. independent in their homes A comprehensive review of operating The greater the income, the more can be through adaptation services. arrangements has been initiated; with invested in services for the people and processes being reviewed, streamlined communities we support. and customer orientated. Landlord Services is restructuring teams OUTCOME 10: to ensure they deliver the best service DELIVER BETTER SERVICES possible, during a period of public sector Performance 2014/15 Plans for 2015/19 Ten Year Outlook budget reductions. There is a commitment to work as efficiently as possible, NIHE collected 99.82% Increase rent collection to reinvest to Maximise income managing resources to ensure financial of rent; improve services; to deliver better services and stability and the delivery of social value Arrears reduced by Reduce arrears to maximise income; improve stock; for customers in Armagh City, Banbridge £76k; Maintain voids below 1% of total stock and Craigavon Borough. This will involve Make best use of 0.59% of stock was to make best use of housing stock and maximising resources, to invest in our stock; services for customers, now and in the void; increase revenue from rents; Monitor and future. This is achieved by listening to Introduced a Tenancy Meet the Public Accounts Committee reduce tenancy customers through the Continuous Tenant Fraud Action Plan; to establish a tenancy fraud baseline fraud; Omnibus Surveys (CTOS). for future monitoring; Introduced a Sustaining Reduce tenancy Landlord Services will strive to improve Tenancy Strategy; Implement the Sustaining Tenancy failure and help transparency by showing how the rental Strategy; income is used. They will engage with Worked with DSD on tenants stay in Housing Community Network members Welfare Reform; Implement the Welfare Reform Action their own home; Plan as required; who are represented in Tenant Scrutiny Initiated a Tenant Monitor and Panels, empowering the community to Scrutiny Panel for Continue to monitor tenants improve customer have a say in how these services are South Area. satisfaction through the CTOS. satisfaction levels. delivered and shaped around their needs. 49 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

50 Governance

Statutory guidance for the operation of The various legislative functions of the NIHE Legislative Functions community planning has identifi ed that Housing Executive include, but are not community planning partners should limited to those listed right. • The regular examination of provide an understanding of their roles housing conditions and housing Current legislation requires the Chief and responsibilities including their legal requirements; Executive as the Northern Ireland duties and accountabilities to other Housing Executive Accounting Offi cer • Drawing up wide ranging parts of government. to have in place adequate and effective programmes to meet housing Housing Executive arrangements for the management needs; of risk and to produce an Annual The Housing Executive is the single • Consulting with district councils Governance Statement (AGS). The strategic housing authority for Northern and the Northern Ireland Housing Governance Statement forms part of the Ireland. The Housing Executive manages Council; statutory accounts and is considered a stock of approximately 90,000 homes and approved by the Board. The AGS is • Making vesting orders in respect and employs over 3,000 people. The produced in line with guidance issued of land and the disposal of land organisation is governed by a ten by the Department of Finance and held; member Board and operates through the Personnel. provision of public funds from DSD. • Administering housing benefi t DSD issues the Housing Executive with to the public and private rented Whilst the Housing Executive continues a Management Statement and Financial sectors; as a single statutory organisation, for Memorandum, which sets out the budgetary and accounting classifi cation • Undertaking the role of the Home policy and resource framework for the purposes it is now a dual reporting Energy Conservation Authority for Housing Executive. The Memorandum arrangement where Regional Services Northern Ireland; states the role and aims of the Housing and Landlord Services are managed • Administering the ‘Supporting Executive, its duties and powers, the as separate entities. This revision took People’ initiative; responsibilities of the Chairman, Board effect from April 2014 when the Housing and Chief Executive, and the relationship • Administering Private Sector Executive was classifi ed as follows: with the Minister and DSD as the Grants; • Non-Departmental Public Body sponsoring Department of the Housing • Provision of caravan sites (NDPB) - Regional Services Executive. for members of the Traveller • Quasi-Public Corporation - Landlord The Housing Executive has responsibility Community; Services for annually reviewing the effectiveness • Preparation and submission of a As a statutory body, the Housing of its governance framework, including Houses in Multiple Occupation Executive’s functions are made up the system of internal control. The work (HMO) Registration Scheme for of duties and powers laid down by of the Housing Executive’s Corporate Departmental approval and HMO statute in various legislative Orders and Assurance Unit also provides assurance regulation; Amendments. The Housing Executive, on the management of key risks and, as a public authority, is also subject through inspection, assurance on the • Identifying the need for the to Section 75 of the Northern Ireland management of response and planned provision of new social houses; Act 1998 which obliges it to carry out maintenance contractors. • The formulation and publication of its functions having due regard to the a Homelessness Strategy; need to promote equality of opportunity between certain specifi ed groups of • Statutory responsibility for dealing people. with homeless applications; • Publication and review of its anti-social behaviour policies and procedures.

51 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

52 Appendices

Appendix 1 Social Housing Development Programme: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon SCHEMES COMPLETED APRIL 2014 - MARCH 2015 No of Housing Scheme units Client group Assocation Policy theme Jervis Street 1 General Needs South Ulster Urban 1

SCHEMES ON SITE AT 31ST MARCH 2015 No of Housing Scheme units Client group Assocation Policy theme Church View, Charlemont 4 General Needs Choice Rural Canal Court Ph 2, Middletown 6 General Needs Choice Rural Lake Street, Lurgan 26 Elderly – Cat 1 Choice Urban Lurgan Praxis ESPs 3 Mental Health South Ulster Supported Bayview Park, Derrymore 6 General Needs Clanmil Rural Curran Street, Portadown 6 General Needs Choice Urban Portadown Praxis ESPs 6 Mental Health South Ulster Supported 57

SCHEMES PROGRAMMED 2015/18 No of Housing Policy Scheme units Client group Year Association Theme Tassagh Road, 1 General Needs 2015/16 South Ulster Rural Dromore Street, Banbridge 33 General Needs 2015/16 Clanmil Urban Woodlands, Gilford 1 General Needs 2015/16 Habinteg Rural South Area Older People Dromore and Banbridge 18 Elderly – Cat 3 2015/16 Clanmil Supported Grattan Park, Lurgan 28 General Needs 2015/16 Clanmil Urban North Lurgan ESPs 3 General Needs 2015/16 South Ulster Urban 118 Clonmeen 1 General Needs 2015/16 Apex Urban Corcrain Walk, Portadown 3 General Needs 2015/16 Apex Urban Edward St, Portadown 15 Supported 2015/16 Choice Supported Mullacreevie Ph 2, Armagh 20 General Needs 2016/17 Fold Urban Ardmore Rd Ph 2, Armagh 15 General Needs 2016/17 Triangle Urban Sloan Street, Lurgan 28 General Needs 2016/17 Fold Urban 38 North Street, Lurgan 15 General Needs 2016/17 Clanmil Urban Derrytrasna 6 General Needs 2016/17 Ark Rural South Area Older People Armagh and Dungannon 18 Elderly – Cat 3 2017/18 Clanmil Supported 205

53 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Appendix 2 Maintenance and grants information - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon SCHEMES COMPLETED 1ST APRIL 2014 - 31ST MARCH 2015 Work Category Scheme Units Smoke Alarm Replacement Armagh SA Replacements 117 Banbridge SA Replacements 74 Portadown SA Replacements 41 Lurgan SA Replacements 67 Heating Installation Banbrook Hill, Brookhill, Railway Street, 57 Dukes Grove, Legar Hill Park, Aghanore Walk, Drumman Park, Windmill Avenue Drumadd Terrace, Armagh Avonmore, Quaymount, / 33 Carnavanaghan Road, Collone, Dalton Close, Park and Road, Drumbreda Avenue, Crescent, Gardens and Walk, Ballinahone Avenue, Close and Crescent, Armagh/ Railway Crescent, Keady Armagh 15 year old Heating Replacement 69 31 Banbridge 15 year Boiler Replacement 104 Brownlow, Drumgor/Clonmeen/Enniskeen 91 Flats Lurgan, Lurgantarry 15 year Heating 120 Replacements Brownlow, Drumbeg/Meadowbrook 15 140 year Heating Replacements Lurgan, Mourneview/, 60 Cambrai 15 year Heating Replacements Portadown 15 year Heating Replacements 51

54 SCHEMES STARTED BETWEEN 1ST APRIL 2014 AND 31ST MARCH 2015 Work Category Scheme Units Heating Installation Armagh/ 15 year Heating 60 Replacements Armagh/Rural 15 year Heating 46 Replacements Banbridge Town 15 year old Heating 51 Replacement Dromore/Gilford/Rural 15 year old 91 Heating Replacement Lurgan/Craigavon 15 year Heating 103 Replacements Rectory Park/Brownstown, Portadown 15 60 year Heating Replacements Redmanville/Ballyoran, Portadown 15 58 year Heating Replacements Craigavon, 15 year Heating Replacement, 104 various estates External Cyclical Maintenance Armagh City/Blackwatertown/ 291 Charlemont/Milltown Moorefi eld, Mountview, Mount Charles, 117 Churchview Drive and Terrace, Brooke Gardens, Rockview Close, Banbridge Brookfi eld Avenue and Road, Edenderry 120 Park, Banbridge Brownlow, Parkmore 99 Lurgan, Wakehurst/Waringstown, 104 Cambrai Drive, Churchill Place, Main Street, Primary Walk, Windsor Close, Waring Terrace Double Glazing Old Forge, , Mill Street, , 125 Laurel Park, , Annvale Gardens, Church Street, Dalton Park, Dukes Grove, Navan Street, Windmill Avenue, Dobbins Grove, Armagh, Aughan Park, Poyntzpass Maglion Terrace, Cline Road, Fort Street, 202 Leamount Park, Forthill Avenue and Green, Close, Drive and Park, Primrose Gardens, Reilly Court, Banbridge Lurgan, Mourneview/Hospital/Grey 83 Craigavon, Meadowbrook 78 Lurgan, Aghagallon/Shankill/Taghnevan/ 227 Maralin/ Waringstown, Donacloney/ Craigavon, Ardowen

55 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Work Category Scheme Units Kitchen Replacement Caramoyle/Middletown, Ivy Park, Keady/ 34 Callan Crescent and Street, Armagh Avonmore, Blackwatertown/Ashlea Close, 68 Markethill/Tandragee Street, Richhill/ Culdee Drive, Aghanore Walk, Drumman Park, Drumsill Park Victoria Grove, Armagh Lurgan, Clarendon Park, Donard Gardens, 111 Ardboe Drive, Glenfi eld Road, Colban Crescent, Tarry Drive/ Waringstown, Cambrai Drive Portadown, Ulsterville Park, Fitzroy Street, 66 Alexandra Gardens, Stewarts Terrace, Robinsonstown Craigavon, Ardowen 108 Smoke Alarm Installation/ Armagh SA replacements 52 Replacement Portadown SA Replacements 22 Craigavon SA Replacements 73 Note: Some schemes may start and complete in year.

PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR 2015/16 Work Category Scheme Units Double Glazing Banbridge Town Retrofi t 140 Kilwilkie/Lurgantarry 216 /Portadown Rural/Armagh 145 Clounagh/Ulsterville/Seagoe 201 Craigavon Central 160 Sloan Street/Edward Street/Shankill 184 Taghnevan Rural 195 External Cyclical Maintenance Poyntzpass/Tandragee 211 Rathfriland/ 263 Killicomaine 259 Kilwilkie/Lurgantarry 161 Avenue Road, Lurgan 194 Kitchen Replacement Moorefi eld, Rockview Close, Hillhead 88 Park, Walk, Banbridge/Brookfi eld Close, Bannview, Gilford/Hillside Crescent, /Park Hill, Maypole Park, Brewery Lane, Dromore Westacres/Drumgor/Taghnevan 92

56 Work Category Scheme Units Heating Installation Mullacreevie Park, Orangefi eld Drive, 123 Orangefi eld Gardens, Drumarg Park, Drumbreda Gardens, Cusher Green Armagh. Bellevue Terrace, Richhill. Bunker Hill, Coolmillish Park Markethill. Laurel Park, Ballymore Park/Road, Tandragee. Fairgreen Park, Keady. Ashvale Drive, Park, 82 Edenderry Park, Fort Street, Golf Terrace, Hillhead Close/Drive/ Park, Iveagh Drive, Maryville Close/Crescent/ Drive, Primrose Gardens Banbridge. Beech Grove, Brewery Lane, Church View, Jubilee Park Dromore. Knock Terrace, School Road, Stewarts Crescent Rathfriland. Woodlands Gilford. Colban/Ardboe 15 year Replacement 90 Enniskeen/Westacres 15 year 145 Replacement Ballyoran Park, Charles Street, Churchill 99 Park, Greenview Gardens, Hampton Court, Margaret Street, Marian Avenue, Park Road, Parkside, Princess Way, Ranfurley Road, Seagoe Park, Westland Road Portadown. Capital TBUC scheme Killicomaine/Corcrain - Thermal comfort Greenview/Seagoe 29

57 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

RESERVE PROGRAMME 2015/16 Work Category Scheme Units External Cyclical Maintenance Ardmore//Culdee 337 Kitchen Replacement Tandragee/Keady/ 96 Westland Road/Drumilly/Drumcarn 91

ANALYSIS OF ADAPTATIONS TO HOUSING EXECUTIVE STOCK IN 2014/15 Type of adaptation Adaptations commenced Adaptations spend April 2014 to March 2015 April 2014 to March 2015 (£k) Extension to dwelling 5 103 Change of heating 2 14 Lifts 13 43 Shower 90 185 Total 110 345

GRANTS PERFORMANCE 2014/15 Grant Type Approved Approval Value (£k) Completed Mandatory Grants Disabled Facilities Grants 116 989 87 Repair Grant 89 188 89 Discretionary Grants Renovation Grant 11 110 10 Home Repair Assistance Grant 0 0 0 Total 216 1,287 186

DEFINITION OF WORK CATEGORIES External Cyclical Work to the external fabric of a dwelling and its Maintenance immediate surrounding area. Smoke Alarm Installation/ Installation/replacement of hard wire smoke alarms Replacement (replacement after 10 years). Heating Installation Replacement of solid fuel or electric heating. Double Glazing Replacement of single glazed with double glazed units. Capital Schemes Improvement works. Kitchen Replacement Replacement of obsolete internal elements, and kitchen units.

58 APPENDIX 3 HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION OF HOUSING APPLICANTS AT MARCH 2015 Type Single Small Adult Small Family Large Adult Large Family Older Person Total Armagh 1 Applicant 163 30 75 14 13 52 347 App (HS) 79 11 32 6 8 27 163 Allocation 31 4 19 0 0 6 60 Armagh 2 Applicant 49 9 43 9 11 10 131 App (HS) 22 1 17 5 5 4 54 Allocation 10 1 11 0 0 5 27 Keady Applicant 41 1 17 4 5 3 71 App (HS) 10 0 8 0 0 1 19 Allocation 13 0 6 0 0 4 23 Markethill Applicant 11 1 10 3 4 4 33 App (HS) 5 0 3 2 0 2 12 Allocation 13 2 2 0 2 2 21 Tandragee Applicant 16 3 8 0 3 3 33 App (HS) 6 1 5 0 0 2 14 Allocation 5 1 5 0 0 1 12 Charlemont/ Applicant 3 0 6 2 2 3 16 Blackwatertown/ / App (HS) 1 0 3 2 2 0 8 Donnelly Hill Allocation 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 Drumhillery/ / Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Glenanne/ / Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Loughgilly App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Allocation 8 2 3 0 1 1 15 Hamiltonsbawn/ Applicant 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 Edenaveys App (HS) 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 Allocation 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Applicant 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 App (HS) 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 Allocation 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Madden/Milford/ Applicant 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 Ballyards App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middletown Applicant 12 0 4 0 0 1 17 App (HS) 9 0 3 0 0 0 12 Allocation 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 Poyntzpass Applicant 8 1 7 0 0 1 17 App (HS) 5 0 3 0 0 1 9 Allocation 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

59 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Type Single Small Adult Small Family Large Adult Large Family Older Person Total Richhill Applicant 11 4 7 1 1 10 34 App (HS) 4 2 3 1 1 5 16 Allocation 3 0 1 0 0 4 8 /Killylea Applicant 0 0 1 1 0 1 3 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Allocation 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 Annaghmore/Eglish Applicant 3 2 7 1 0 0 13 App (HS) 0 1 3 0 0 0 4 Allocation 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 Applicant 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Clady/Corran/ Applicant 2 0 1 0 0 1 4 App (HS) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Armagh Total Applicant 326 52 187 35 39 91 730 App (HS) 145 17 81 16 16 44 319 Allocation 86 12 53 0 6 25 182 Banbridge Town Applicant 167 25 70 12 19 54 347 App (HS) 91 17 22 3 8 35 176 Allocation 33 4 22 2 3 8 72 Dromore Applicant 32 8 15 3 7 19 84 App (HS) 12 3 4 2 3 14 38 Allocation 7 0 4 0 4 5 20 Gilford Applicant 8 3 8 0 1 1 21 App (HS) 2 0 3 0 0 1 6 Allocation 11 0 1 0 4 1 17 Rathfriland Applicant 16 5 6 2 3 1 33 App (HS) 8 1 3 0 3 0 15 Allocation 7 1 3 0 1 1 13 Applicant 2 0 5 0 0 1 8 App (HS) 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 Allocation 4 0 3 0 0 1 8 Lawrencetown Applicant 5 1 1 0 0 0 7 App (HS) 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Allocation 7 0 0 0 1 0 8 Applicant 6 1 7 0 2 4 20 App (HS) 2 0 2 0 2 1 7 Allocation 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Scarva Applicant 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 App (HS) 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Allocation 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

60 Type Single Small Adult Small Family Large Adult Large Family Older Person Total Applicant 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 App (HS) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ashfi eld/Tullyhenan Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ballyroney Applicant 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Banbridge Rural Cottages Applicant 2 0 0 1 0 2 5 App (HS) 2 0 0 1 0 1 4 Allocation 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Closkelt Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Dromore Rural Cottages Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Katesbridge Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 Lenaderg Applicant 1 0 3 0 0 0 4 App (HS) 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lisnagade/Ballyvarley Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Seapatrick Applicant 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 App (HS) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Allocation 5 1 2 0 1 0 9 Applicant 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 App (HS) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Banbridge Total Applicant 245 43 118 18 32 85 541 App (HS) 126 21 37 6 16 53 259 Allocation 79 8 35 2 14 16 154

61 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Type Single Small Adult Small Family Large Adult Large Family Older Person Total North Lurgan Applicant 208 37 94 26 24 84 473 App (HS) 74 16 36 12 9 48 195 Allocation 38 2 18 0 2 9 69 South Lurgan Applicant 110 28 53 5 11 45 252 App (HS) 39 6 8 1 3 22 79 Allocation 21 6 29 2 2 11 71 Central Craigavon Applicant 85 17 68 11 23 20 224 App (HS) 16 0 12 5 4 10 47 Allocation 19 3 20 3 9 2 56 Aghagallon Applicant 6 3 7 1 3 2 22 App (HS) 4 0 3 1 2 1 11 Allocation 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 Applicant 3 2 3 1 1 1 11 App (HS) 2 1 1 1 0 1 6 Allocation 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Carn/Elizabeth Terrace Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Derrymacash/ Applicant 5 2 14 9 1 3 34 Derrytrasna/Kinnego App (HS) 5 2 9 4 1 3 24 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Applicant 10 0 1 2 1 3 17 App (HS) 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 Allocation 1 0 3 1 1 0 6 Donacloney Applicant 3 2 3 0 1 3 12 App (HS) 0 0 2 0 0 3 5 Allocation 4 0 3 0 1 1 9 Magheralin Applicant 7 1 5 2 0 1 16 App (HS) 2 0 0 1 0 1 4 Allocation 3 0 1 0 0 1 5 Schomberg/ Applicant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Drumnacanvey App (HS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Allocation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Waringstown Applicant 5 0 7 1 3 4 20 App (HS) 2 0 3 0 1 3 9 Allocation 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Lurgan/Brownlow Total Applicant 442 92 255 58 68 166 1,081 App (HS) 147 25 74 25 20 93 384 Allocation 87 12 76 6 15 24 220 Portadown 1 Applicant 87 14 46 15 13 16 191 App (HS) 35 4 20 7 4 9 79 Allocation 6 0 7 0 2 3 18

62 Type Single Small Adult Small Family Large Adult Large Family Older Person Total Portadown 2 Applicant 223 42 101 19 20 85 490 App (HS) 62 10 22 7 3 34 138 Allocation 38 15 45 7 4 23 132 Portadown Rural Applicant 3 6 6 2 2 1 20 App (HS) 1 2 0 0 1 1 5 Allocation 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 Portadown Total Applicant 313 62 153 36 35 102 701 App (HS) 98 16 42 14 8 44 222 Allocation 44 15 55 7 6 26 153 Armagh, Banbridge, Applicant 1,326 249 713 147 174 444 3,053 Craigavon Total App (HS) 516 79 234 61 60 234 1,184 Allocation 296 47 219 15 41 91 709 Applicant – Housing applicants at March 2015 App (HS) – Housing stress applicants at March 2015 (i.e. 30 points or more) Allocation – Annual allocations for year ending March 2015

DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION OF HOUSING APPLICANTS Defi nition of Household Types Single 1 person 16-59 years old Older person 1 or 2 persons aged 16 or over, at least 1 over 60 Small adult 2 persons 16-59 years old Small family 1 or 2 persons aged 16 or over, with 1 or 2 children Large family 1 or 2 persons aged 16 or over, and 3 or more persons 0-15, or 3 or more persons 16 or over and 2 or more persons aged 0-15 Large adult 3 or more persons aged 16 or over with or without 1 person aged 0-15

63 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

APPENDIX 4 HOUSING EXECUTIVE STOCK AT MARCH 2015 Sold Stock in bold Common Landlord Area Bung (i) Flat House Mais (ii) Cottage Total Void* Armagh 1 195 139 340 20 0 694 9 71 64 841 7 3 986 Armagh 2 120 59 82 14 0 275 4 44 58 471 0 2 575 Keady 102 21 59 0 1 183 3 81 15 374 0 8 478 Markethill 62 25 37 0 1 125 4 35 3 196 0 8 242 Tandragee 82 36 76 0 3 197 1 142 5 236 0 21 404 Charlemont/ 26 0 9 0 338 1 Blackwatertown/ Carrickaness/Donnelly 44 1 104 0 22 171 Hill Drumhillery/Darkley/ 9 0 17 0 0 26 0 Derrynoose 13 0 3 0 016 Glenanne/Mountnorris/ 20 0 69 0 1 90 0 Loughgilly 11 0 71 0 14 96 Hamiltonsbawn/ 22 0 10 0 1 33 1 Edenaveys 43 0 85 0 5 133 Loughgall 15 0 7 0 022 0 34 0 29 0 14 77 Madden/Milford/ 6 0 2 0 0 8 0 Ballyards 23 0 17 0 3 43 Middletown 13 0 1 0 014 0 27 0 24 0 0 51 Poyntzpass 10 0 5 0 015 1 10 0 45 0 0 55 Richhill 47 6 43 0 3 99 2 84 3 209 0 30 326 Tynan/Killylea 19 0 9 0 028 2 47 0 32 0 8 87 Annaghmore/Eglish 13 0 14 0 0 27 0 31 0 46 0 11 88 Annahugh 0 0 11 0 1 12 0 14 0 21 0 3 38 Clady/Corran/ 8 0 8 0 016 1 Ballymacnab 22 0 14 0 0 36

64 Common Landlord Area Bung (i) Flat House Mais (ii) Cottage Total Void Armagh Total 769 286 799 34 14 1,902 29 776 149 2,818 7 152 3,902 Banbridge Town 245 170 349 29 0 793 6 85 78 1,018 15 0 1,196 Dromore 86 46 140 0 1 273 2 36 15 354 0 9 414 Gilford 59 16 74 8 0 157 4 25 4 182 0 0 211 Rathfriland 97 0 96 0 0 193 1 74 0 279 0 1 354 Kinallen 19 0 19 0 0 38 0 13 0 48 0 0 61 Lawrencetown 24 0 26 0 0 50 0 9 070 0 079 Loughbrickland 13 0 22 0 0 35 0 16 0 74 0 3 93 Scarva 5 0 17 0 0 22 0 1 034 0 035 Annaclone 6 0 5 0 011 0 3 024 0 027 Ashfi eld/Tullyhenan 5 0 2 0 0 70 7 011 0 018 Ballela 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ballyroney 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 Banbridge Rural Cottages 9 0 0 014 23 1 9 0 7 085 101 Closkelt 2 0 0 0 2 4 0 2 0 0 0 3 5 Corbet 1 0 7 0 0 8 0 1 0 8 0 0 9 Dromore Rural Cottages 0 0 2 022 24 0 8 0 5 087 100 Katesbridge 3 0 18 0 0 21 2 1 033 0 034 Lenaderg 9 0 13 0 0 22 0 2 046 0 048 Lisnagade/Ballyvarley 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 4

65 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

Common Landlord Area Bung (i) Flat House Mais (ii) Cottage Total Void Seapatrick 11 0 39 0 0 50 3 5 059 0 064 Tullylish 13 0 0 0 013 0 25 0 0 0 025 Banbridge Total 607 232 829 37 42 1,747 19 322 97 2252 15 196 2,882 Central Craigavon 83 78 623 21 0 805 4 18 5 1,255 3 0 1,281 North Lurgan 215 166 323 0 0 704 4 29 48 1,251 0 0 1,328 South Lurgan 153 161 323 3 1 641 1 40 50 1,127 0 8 1,225 Portadown 1 160 12 319 8 0 499 2 37 0 530 10 0 577 Portadown 2 275 255 486 27 0 1,043 4 105 83 1,320 1 0 1,509 Aghagallon 17 0 31 0 4 52 0 26 0 123 0 58 207 Bleary 18 0 15 0 5 38 0 63 0 84 0 57 204 Dollingstown 43 7 9 0 059 0 24 1 98 0 0 123 Donacloney 33 0 31 0 2 66 0 6 0 109 0 15 130 Magheralin 15 0 31 0 0 46 1 3 1 126 0 3 133 Waringstown 33 0 24 0 1 58 0 19 0 82 0 20 121 Carn 1 0 3 0 0 4 0 (Elizabeth Terrace) 3 013 0 016 Derrymacash/ 2 0 12 0 2 16 0 Derrytrasna/ Kinnego 0 031 0 031 Drumnacanvey 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 031 0 031 Portadown Remainder 3 0 35 0 3 41 0 2 0 117 0 26 145 Craigavon Total 1,051 679 2,266 59 18 4,073 16 375 188 6,297 14 187 7,061 Armagh, Banbridge, 2,427 1,197 3,894 130 74 7,722 64 Craigavon Total 1,473 434 11,367 36 535 13,845 *Of the total stock these properties are void and do not include properties for sale or demolition (i) Bungalow (ii) Maisonette 66 APPENDIX 5 MANAGEMENT TEAM CONTACT DETAILS All enquiries 03448 920 900 Landlord Services Armagh Offi ce [email protected] 48 Dobbin Street Armagh BT61 7QQ Banbridge Offi ce [email protected] 56 Bridge Street Banbridge BT32 3JL Lurgan Offi ce [email protected] 122 Hill Street Lurgan BT66 6BH Portadown Offi ce [email protected] 41 Thomas Street Portadown BT62 3AF South Regional Manager Comghal McQuillan [email protected] Area Manager Denise McNally [email protected] Housing Services Manager (A) Mark Ingham [email protected] Assist Housing Services Manager John McAleavey [email protected] Assist Housing Services Manager Judith McNamee [email protected] Assist Housing Services Manager Melvin Spiers [email protected] (A) Maintenance Managers Ian Wilson [email protected] Drew McMath [email protected] Regional Services Supporting People Anne Sweeney [email protected] Central Grants Kathleen Hicks [email protected] Central Planning Esther Christie [email protected] Development Programme Group Elma Newberry [email protected] 2 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8PB Regional Planning Mona Conway [email protected] Marlborough House, Craigavon BT64 1AJ Land and Regeneration Elma Newberry [email protected] 7 Fountain Street, Belfast BT1 5EA

67 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

APPENDIX 6 GLOSSARY Accessible Housing A range of property types that may be suitable for allocation to people with a disability or mobility issues. Affordable Housing Affordable housing is defi ned as social rented housing and intermediate housing for eligible households. Affordable Housing Administered by DSD, this fi nances an interest-free loan to housing associations, to fund the provision of Fund new affordable homes and the refurbishment of empty homes. AGS Annual Governance Statement Areas at Risk This programme aims to intervene in areas of risk of slipping into social or environmental decline by working with residents. ASB Anti-Social Behaviour Assistive Technology Any product or service designed to enable independence for disabled or older people. ASSP Area Supporting People Partnerships assess and prioritise the housing support needs of a range of vulnerable client groups at local level. Building Relations in Provides training on good relations and funding for good relations plans Communities (BRIC) Building Successful Carried out in six pilot areas; this uses housing intervention to regenerate areas and reverse community Communities (BSC) decline. CAT Community Asset Transfer provides for a change in management and/or ownership of land or buildings, from public bodies to communities Community Cohesion Cohesive communities are communities where there is a sense of belonging, and there are positive relationships within the community, regardless of background. CSR Comprehensive Spending Review outlines the Government’s spending plans CTOS Continuous Tenant Omnibus Survey is an assessment of the attitudes of Housing Executive tenants. DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Decent Home A decent home is one which is wind and watertight, warm and has modern facilities and is a minimum standard that all social housing should have met through time. DHSSPS Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Disabled Facility Grant A grant to help improve the home of a person with a disability who lives in the private sector to enable (DFG) them to continue to live in their own home. Discretionary Housing Is an extra payment to help pay the difference or shortfall between the rent charged by a landlord and Payment Housing Benefi t DOE Department of the Environment DRD Department for Regional Development DSD Department for Social Development DTNI Development Trusts Northern Ireland Equity Sharing Equity sharing allows social housing tenants to buy part of their dwelling (starting at 25%). The remaining portion is rented from the Housing Executive or registered housing association Floating Support This enables users to maintain or regain independence in their own homes. Floating support is not tied to the accommodation but is delivered to individual users.

68 Frost Stat A thermostat used to turn on a heating system automatically when the temperature drops below a threshold. Fuel Poverty A household is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain an acceptable temperature throughout the home, it would have to spend more than 10% of its income on all household fuel. Full Duty Applicant A Full Duty Applicant is a person to whom the Housing Executive owes a duty under Article 10 (2) of the (FDA) Housing (NI) Order, 1988 to “secure that accommodation becomes available for his/her occupation”. HCN Housing Community Network assists residents’ associations to develop local services. HCS House Condition Survey, carried out by the Housing Executive HECA Home Energy Conservation Authority, the Housing Executive is the HECA for Northern Ireland. HMO A House of Multiple Occupation means a house occupied by more than two people who are not all members of the same family. House Sales Scheme The House Sales Scheme gives eligible tenants of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) or registered housing associations the right to buy their property from their landlord at a discount. Housing Growth Figures contained in the Regional Development Strategy to estimate the new dwelling requirement for Indicators (HGI) council areas and the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area for 2008-25. Housing Market Area A market area is the geographic area within which the majority of households move, work and live. Housing Market This is an evidence base for housing and planning policies, which examines the operation of Housing Analysis (HMA) Market Areas, including the characteristics of the housing market, how key factors work together and the potential housing need and demand on a cross tenure basis. Housing Needs This is an assessment of local housing needs primarily in relation to general needs social housing, Assessment supported housing, travellers and affordable housing. Housing Stress Applicants on the waiting list who have a points total in excess 30 points are considered to be in housing stress, or housing need. Intermediate Housing Intermediate Housing consists of shared ownership housing provided through a Registered Housing Association (eg the Co Ownership Housing Association) and helps eligible households who can afford a small mortgage, but that are not able to afford to buy a property outright. The property is split between part ownership by the householder and part social renting form the Registered Housing Association. The proportion of property ownership and renting can vary depending on householder circumstances and preferences. The defi nition of intermediate housing may change over time to incorporate other forms of housing tenure below open market rates. Latent demand test Housing needs survey carried out in a rural area to assess any potential hidden need. Lifetime Homes Housing design standards, which make a home more adaptable through a person’s life cycle Mandatory repair This is a grant made available by the Housing Executive to landlords who have been served a repair notice grant by the council. Neighbourhood Government Departments and agencies working in partnership to tackle disadvantage and deprivation Renewal Net Stock Model An assessment of housing need at a Northern Ireland level, using net household projections NIFHA Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations NIMDM Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure measures deprivation by examining a range of economic, social and environmental indicators NISRA Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

69 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

OFMDFM Offi ce of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister Oil buying clubs Oil buying clubs are designed to help consumers reduce their costs by purchasing oil orders in bulk as part of a group. PCSPs Policing and Community Safety Partnerships PPS Planning Policy Statement Quality Assessment The Quality Assessment Framework sets out the standards expected in the delivery of Supporting People Framework services. RDP Rural Development Programme RDS Regional Development Strategy SCNI Supporting Communities Northern Ireland provides training and funding for community groups. Shared Housing These are communities where people choose to live with others regardless of their religion or race, in a neighbourhood that is safe and welcoming to all. SHDP Social Housing Development Programme, the SHDP provides grant to housing associations to build social housing. The programme is managed by the Housing Executive on a three-year rolling programme. Smartmove Housing This is a charitable organisation offering advice; support and accommodation to people that are homeless and in acute housing need. Social Enterprise Social enterprises are businesses with primarily social objectives whose profi ts are reinvested to achieve these objectives in a community. Social Rented Housing Social Rented Housing is housing provided at an affordable rent by the Housing Executive and Registered Housing Associations; that is, Housing Associations, which are registered and regulated by the Department of Social Development as a social housing provider. Social rented accommodation is offered in accordance with the Common Selection Scheme, administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which prioritises households who are living in unsuitable or insecure accommodation. SPOD Small Pockets of Deprivation is a delivery vehicle for neighbourhood renewal. Stock Transfer The aim of the Stock Transfer Programme is to deliver major refurbishment works to social homes through Programme transfer the stock from the Housing Executive to housing associations. Supported Housing A term used to describe a range of both long and short-term accommodation provided for people who need an additional level of housing related support to help them lead an independent life. Supporting People The Supporting People Programme is designed to provide housing related support to prevent diffi culties Programme that can typically lead to hospitalisation, homelessness or institutional care and can aid a smooth transition to independent living for those leaving an institutionalised environment. TBUC The Northern Ireland Executive Together Building a United Community Strategy containing objectives for a united and shared community and improved community relations. Tenant Scrutiny Panel Panels to scrutinise housing services in their area. Unmet Needs This advises housing associations and developers on locations where there is a shortage of programmed Prospectus development sites to meet the projected social housing need. zero-energy buildings The total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site.

70 71 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019

72 www.nihe.gov.uk CS/71/04/15