In the last four years housing associations have delivered 607 homes in North Down and Ards.
Mervyn Storey MLA, Minister for Social Development, recently announced that housing associations have exceeded the delivery targets set by the NI Executive through the Programme for Government

Supported by close to £570m investment from the Department for Social Development and working with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, housing associations have exceeded delivery targets by 20%. 
In the four years since 2011/12 6,101 new social homes have been delivered and 3,965 affordable homes provided through Co-ownership.
More than £300m of private finance has been secured by housing associations to make government grant go further and provide just over 10,000 new social and affordable homes.
In the last year alone 336 social and affordable homes have been delivered in North Down and Ards.
These include the 102 new houses at Rathgill Parade, Bangor, being built by Fold Housing Association, and 79 houses at North Road, Newtownards, being built by Clamil Housing Group.

Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Cameron Watt Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Local housing associations have a strong track record of delivering social and affordable housing for Northern Ireland.  I am delighted that with partners our members have not only met the 2014/15 targets but also exceeded pledges from the NI Executive to provide 6,000 new social homes and 2,000 affordable homes over four years.

“The 2014/15 targets required housing associations to increase by nearly 60% from the previous year the number of new homes started. In achieving this target our sector has demonstrated our commitment to fulfilling a growing role in meeting housing need.
“Of course huge challenges remain.  However working closely with partners in government and the Housing Executive, housing associations can continue to deliver many more great homes and help build thriving communities.”

Carol McTaggart, Group Director of Development at Clanmil Housing Group, said: “Clanmil is delighted to have been able to provide new homes for families who need them, particularly in a difficult and changing environment.
“We are pleased to have played our part along with our colleagues across the sector in delivering the ambitious targets set by the Northern Ireland Executive.
“Clanmil remains committed to continuing to provide high quality affordable homes throughout Northern Ireland and we are calling for land owner and developers who can help us access suitable development opportunities to contact us.”

Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey ML A is pictured with (L) Cameron Watt, CEO of the NI Federation of Housing Associations and (R) Donald Hoodless, Chair of the Housing Executive.