BIH Housing Association - Annual Report and Accounts 2006/2007

We maintained our efforts to achieve an acceptable compromise between suitable sites, together with appropriate design and space standards, quality of finish, while maintaining affordable rental levels - a task which is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly with current market conditions and rapidly increasing land costs. We look forward to implementation of the recommendations of the Semple Review on affordable housing - and indeed actively participating in the delivery of solutions as outlined in his report. As in previous years, one of our greatest challenges encountered in the delivery of the programme was delay in the planning process. This year the problem was particularly acute, and it was regrettable that two of our projects at Holywood Road [elderly people], and University Street [Move-on accommodation for single homeless people] did not start on site as planning permission was not received prior to our March deadline.

One of the highlights of the year was winning the NI Housing Council Jim Speers Special Award for scheme at Glenalva, Cliftonville Road, Belfast for homeless families which was a significant endorsement of our work in this field.

Despite the many challenges, a wide range of supported housing provision was undertaken in partnership with both voluntary and statutory sector organisations. The Association is pleased to be developing further schemes with the Northern and Southern Health and Social Care Trusts and the Depaul Trust building on the success of previous projects. A new partnership was developed with the Cithrah Foundation through the development of a facility for victims of domestic violence within the Antrim area.

During the year schemes completed included the following projects: Chisholm House in Ballyclare was developed by the Association 15 years ago to provide supported housing for people with mental health problems. In consultation with NIHE Supporting People team, it was agreed to undertake re-improvement work to meet the long term needs of residents, providing residents with improved private and communal facilities as well as enhanced staff facilities.

Two projects in North and East Belfast for active elderly people at Ballysillan and Knock were completed. Both developments have proved to be very popular with the tenants, providing self contained 2 bedroom / 3 person apartments and bungalows to Lifetime Home, Eco Homes and Secured by Design Standards. The scheme at Ballysillan has made a very significant contribution to the regeneration of this part of North Belfast. The contractor - Tal Ltd, constructed 20 houses for sale on the adjacent site, thus collectively providing a mixed tenure development to address the housing needs of this community.

Construction continued on the scheme at Stewartstown Road, Belfast for homeless families comprising 18 self contained apartments [two to wheelchair standard] together with communal and staffing facilities as well as the development of 30 apartments at Shore Road, Holywood for elderly people.

During the year 122 units commenced on site comprising a wide range of accommodation included supported housing for homeless people, victims of domestic violence, people suffering from mental illness and learning disability as well as active elderly people.

Donaghadee Road Bangor will provide 31 self contained apartments for elderly people on two adjacent sites. In the town centre of Carrickfergus construction commenced on a project for women and children escaping domestic violence and is the first partnership scheme with the Cithrah Foundation which is a community based group who have considerable expertise in the area. The scheme comprises 5 self contained apartments [one to wheelchair standard] together with associated communal and staffing facilities.

At Holywell Hospital, Antrim, a further partnership scheme with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to provide supported housing for people with mental health problems started. Our existing scheme in Crumlin will be complemented by the provision of eight 2 bedroom / 3 person apartments for elderly people in a popular location adjacent to the Main street in Crumlin.

At Castlehill, Dungannon, 22 self contained units for single homeless people, developing our partnership with the Depaul Trust. The scheme is located in the town centre and near many social and shopping facilities which makes this an ideal location for a scheme such as this. In Bessbrook a scheme of 14 bed spaces in partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust commenced on site to provide supported housing for people with severe learning disability and challenging behaviours.

The current development programme aims to meet a comprehensive range of supported housing needs at various locations throughout Belfast and North Down in response to increasing need for accommodation for elderly people in this area. Our plan to review the supported housing projects developed some 20 years ago continues, with a programme to develop two projects in the East Belfast and Newtownabbey areas as replacement facilities for schemes which no longer meet the current and future living requirements of the residents.

Through our development agreement with Wesley Housing Association, the site to redevelop their residential facility at Palmerston was purchased, with the construction work due to commence in this current year on a 40 bed space housing with care scheme to include accommodation for dementia sufferers. This is a very significant scheme for Wesley HA and we are pleased to be partners with them in such an innovative project.

Through the Association’s subsidiary company - BH Property, we are currently planning to develop the concept of leasehold accommodation for over 55’s in the greater Belfast area, and have purchased a site in Holywood which will commence on site upon receipt of planning permission.

The hard work and skill of our staff team, together with the co-operation of colleagues in NIHE, DSD, and our partner organisations within the voluntary and statutory sector is very much appreciated. We also pay tribute to our talented and supportive team of consultants and contractors who facilitate us in the delivery of the housing programme. During the year the association hosted a work experience programme for people working in social housing in Berlin. We found the exchange of ideas and expertise very rewarding, and hope to build on the success of this initiative during the coming year.

As well as partnership with the voluntary and statutory sector, the award of Clients Charter in December reinforced the ethos of partnership with our many colleagues in the construction sector, and through the Association’s implementation of the Client’s Charter programme over the next five years, we aim to strengthen these links as we implement the procurement of the social housing programme on a partnering basis with the construction industry.

We look forward to the many challenges that lie ahead. It promises to be a year of change and opportunity as the Housing Association movement collectively responds to the DSD Procurement Strategy and the Semple Review on affordable housing as we continue to deliver an innovative programme of social and affordable housing.

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