Housing Minister Paul Givan MLA is pictured laying one of the first bricks at a scheme with Michael McDonnell, Chief Executive of Choice Housing. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Housing Minister Paul Givan MLA has today visited two sites in Holywood and Bangor where construction work is underway on 132 new social homes for North Down.

The Minister visited Old Belfast Road in Bangor to lay one of the the first bricks at a £13million Choice Housing scheme which will provide 106 new two and three bedroom family homes, three of which are wheelchair accessible. The Department for Communities (DfC) is supporting the development of this site with a £6.3million Housing Association Grant with Choice Housing providing £6.5million through private finance.

In addition, the Minister also viewed progress of the construction of 20 new apartments for the active elderly and six family homes at a Helm Housing development at Croft Road, Holywood. DfC is supporting the development of this site with a £1.6million Housing Association Grant with Helm providing £1.4million through private finance.

Minister Givan said: “It is a great pleasure to be in North Down to see the work underway to deliver vital social housing in this area. With Bangor being a popular residential area, the development of 106 family homes will go some way to addressing waiting lists. In a number of months this site at Old Belfast Road will be home to many families, a community, who will contribute to the wider economic and social development of Bangor.”

Michael McDonnell, Chief Executive of Choice Housing added: “This is an important development for us and for the people of Bangor, particularly those on the housing waiting list. We have worked closely with the local communities in the design and build of this scheme to ensure it meets high standards of efficiency and quality.”

Turning to Helm’s new development at Croft Road in Holywood, Minister Givan said: “The two developments I have visited today show how my Department, the NI Housing Executive and the housing associations are working to deliver accommodation that best suits the needs of those on the social housing waiting list in this area.
“Providing apartment living is an excellent option for active older people. This facility at Croft Road has been designed with their needs in mind, so that residents can live independently in a safe and comfortable environment.”

Patrick McClughan, Vice-Chair at Helm Housing Association said: “Building strong communities and providing high quality homes is at the centre of our work at Helm Housing. We are also committed to accommodating those who are more vulnerable in our community, and that is why 20 of the 26 apartments at Croft Road will be specially designed to suit the active elderly, helping tenants to live comfortably and independently. We look forward to welcoming our new residents to the Holywood area.”