BIH Housing Association - Annual Report and Accounts 2006/2007

Once more the delivery was back loaded to the end of the year and in the main this was due to planning delays. One project slipped from our programme had been awaiting planning permission for a year at year end. Development on brown field and redevelopment sites brings a different challenge with each new project.

We continue to work in partnership with the Department for Social Development and Northern Ireland Housing Executive and as the year ends we note a slight change in the market as we are being approached by developers to consider further design and build projects. BIH has used design and build to its advantage for over 20 years and continues to seek this approach with competent contractors. We are now on the threshold of strategic partnerships with some contractors who see the professionalism in this organisation as to our mutual advantage. This type of approach was emphasised when the Association commenced the programme of work set out by the Department for Social Development to achieve Client Charter status. This was achieved in December 2006 on target but is only the beginning of a programme of work which stretches over a five year period.

During the year the general needs team completed projects at Beechmount Phase 5 (41 homes) and at Lagmore Phase 6 (75 homes). In both of these areas BIH has been working for 10 years in gradual phases of renewal and new build on green field sites. Our links and commitment to both communities is strong. We also completed work in a new redevelopment area – at Gainsborough where 26 new homes were provided and further aided the Housing Executive in regeneration in North Belfast by constructing 9 new homes at Summerhill Court between Cliftonpark Avenue and Manor Street, Belfast. Our management of a multi element improvement project in adjoining NIHE homes complemented this project. The final project completed this year was a design and build contract for 50 apartments at Malcolmson Street and we are pleased to report that work has commenced to develop a further project with the same contractor as phase 2 of this much needed accommodation in West Belfast. To supplement the contractual work the Association purchased existing satisfactory dwellings - 7 in North Belfast, 14 in West Belfast mainly Twinbrook, Poleglass areas and 9 in East Belfast. These homes provided immediate access to 30 families from the waiting lists. Overall 240 homes have been added to the Association’s stock during the financial year. This includes the rehabilitation of 39 Existing Satisfactory purchases.

Just as the completed projects centred around the Greater Belfast area so did the schemes which we commenced during the year with projects providing 210 units progressing on-site at Bennan Park, Dundonald (20 homes), Candahar Street (42 homes), Lagmore Grove (23 homes) and Newtownbreda (39 homes). Meanwhile work nears completion at Talbot Street, Belfast and at Forfar Street, Belfast. Talbot Street is a city centre based project and involves rehabilitation and new build in Cathedral Quarter. We anticipate great demand for these desirable apartments.

Success in the commercial world is often measured by customer loyalty and repeat business. We are delighted that our working partnerships with Wesley HA and Abbeyfield HA continued throughout the year. The staff also gained recognition in the Housing Council awards for the renewal of the Edenderry area off Tennent Street, Belfast where we completed the final phase of redevelopment of BIH’s first housing schemes.

As the financial year ended, the Association identified a range of schemes for potential development including many which if successful will respond to the challenges set out in the Affordability Review just completed by Sir John Semple. One was completed under the advance purchase scheme and represents the largest single land purchase by BIH and BH Property. Located at Great Georges Street, Belfast, this scheme when completed will provide almost 200 homes, some of which will be for sale through BH Property Ltd - our wholly-owned subsidiary company. 116 homes for social renting will be provided on this urban site and will involve high rise in recognition of site scarcity and housing demand issues. We look forward to the challenges this will bring in delivering a high quality housing environment for a 21st century Belfast.

As the year concluded, the Association’s general needs development team changed in terms of personnel and we take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of Mark Adrain as he leaves the Association in his role as Director and to Ian Graham Development Manager as he leaves to join the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for a two year period. We also wish to record our thanks to the various staff at the Department for Social Development as they hand over their programme delivery role to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Under all of their stewardship we have delivered new homes for the Northern Ireland community and we look forward to the future in the knowledge that we have been served well and that they will wish us continuing success as we endeavour to meet the growing housing need.

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