News Archive

Attwood opens new social housing at East Belfast Pottinger’s Quay

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood opened a new housing development of 27 family apartments at Pottinger’s Quay in East Belfast today.

Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood and Clanmil Chair, Joan Baird welcome young tenant, Connalith Dobbin to Pottingers Quay

SPRING CLEAN FOR CLOONA AND BELL STEEL MANORS

Local families have come together to “spring clean” the area around their homes at Clanmil Housing’s Cloona Manor and Bell Steel Manor developments in Poleglass.

Local Councillors Arder Carson and Angela Nelson join staff form Clanmil Housing, including Chief Executive Clare McCarty, to help tenants at Clanmil’s Cloona Manor and Bell Steel Manors spring clean the area around their homes in West Belfast.

SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR CLANMIL SENIORS

Who would have thought that tenants living at Clanmil Housing’s Hughes Court independent living housing scheme for older people in East Belfast spend their evenings exploring far away galaxies.

Tenants at Hughes Court Independent Living Scheme in East Belfast spend many happy evenings star gazing

Former Ben Sherman site Collared for social housing

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has joined Clanmil Housing to officially open a new development of 18 family apartments at Sherman Court in Derry.

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie joined Clanmil Chair, Joan Baird and Mayor of Derry, Councillor Paul Fleming to officially open Clanmil’s new Sherman Court homes

£25 MILLION INVESTMENT IN NEW SOCIAL HOMES FOR WEST BELFAST

200 JOBS FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OVER NEXT TWO AND A HALF YEARS

CLANMIL SCOOPS TOP NATIONAL HOUSING AWARD

Clanmil Housing, one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations, has competed against housing associations throughout the UK to take the top award at this year’s national UK Housing Awards.

(L-R): Brendan Morrissey, Joan Baird and Debbie Cousins of Clanmil Housing received the Outstanding Achievement in Housing in the UK award at the UK Housing Awards from Mehban Chowdery, Regional Director of NHBC.

Joan Baird, Chair of Clanmil Housing receives the award for Outstanding Achievement in Housing in Northern Ireland from Heather Cousins, Department for Social Development watched by Brendan Morrissey and Debbie Cousins, also Clanmil Housing.

STRONGE COURT CLEANS UP AT SUPERVALU BEST KEPT AWARDS

Clanmil Housing’s Stronge Court sheltered housing scheme in Portadown has taken a top title in this year’s prestigious SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards.

HOUSING COUNCIL PRAISE FOR LAVINIA

Clanmil Housing’s flagship Lavinia Square and Mews development in the Lower Ormeau Area of South Belfast has been highly commended by the Northern Ireland Housing Council, a statutory body set up to advise on housing policy in Northern Ireland.

Award for Clanmil’s Health and Well-being Programme

Clanmil Housing triumphed at the recent Business in the Community Regional Recognition awards.

£8 MILLION BOOST FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THANKS TO LISBURN HOUSING SCHEME

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today officially launched the development by Clanmil Housing of new homes in Lisburn for active older people.

Work has just started on site securing 70 much needed jobs in Northern Ireland’s flagging construction industry.

The development at Seymour Street, close to Lisburn City Centre, is due for completion in Autumn 2010, and will provide 48 three person, two bedroom apartments for people over 55 years of age.

The new homes are being built to high energy efficiency and security standards and the scheme will include underground carparking and a courtyard garden for tenants.

Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing said;

“Clanmil provides high quality, affordable homes for rent in areas of high housing need, and we are delighted to announce the construction of these apartments which are designed specifically to meet the housing needs of active elderly people who want to continue to live independently in a home of their own as they grow older.

Not only will this development deliver much needed social homes close to the city centre, but it also provides a boost for the local construction industry during a difficult time.”

Sean Devine, Managing Director of the Sean Devine Group, the contractor building the new homes said;

“It is our pleasure to be working alongside Clanmil. Our aim is to provide quality, sustainable homes for this section of the community. High energy efficiency and low running costs coupled with excellent security specification will ensure residents a good quality of life in the heart of Lisburn City centre.”

£10K FOR CLANMIL TENANTS TO GET “ONLINE”

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today joined tenants at Clanmil Housing’s Harmony Court sheltered housing scheme for older people in North Belfast to celebrate Silver Surfer’s Day 2009.

Ritchie welcomes social housing at Pottingers Quay development

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today announced that social housing will be included as part of the £10million Pottingers Quay riverside development.



Scheduled for completion by September 2009, the scheme will see 27 social housing units side by side numerous private apartments in the area.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This is good news for the people of East Belfast and the Short Strand area. Pottingers Quay is a prime example of integrating the riverfront with local communities. But that shouldn’t just be for the benefit of the private sector. What the New Housing Agenda is about is private and social housing seamlessly sitting side by side. The development at Pottingers Quay reflects that, in an attractive city centre neighbourhood. It also shows just what the public and private sector can do working in tandem.”

The minister was joined by Dado Developments, Clanmil Housing Association and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Chris Kennedy, of Dado Developments said: "We are delighted to have been involved in the creation of such a high quality living environment at such a popular and sought after riverfront location. The energy and commitment of all involved from the Boyd Partnership to J Kennedy Contractors working in close harmony with the public sector is testament to how investment can be targeted to regenerate and transform an area to meet the housing demands of all parts of our community.”

Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing said: “As one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations, Clanmil is always seeking opportunities to increase the social housing provision in areas of housing need.

"At Pottinger’s Quay, a site partly designated for social use under the Laganside initiative, Clanmil has worked in partnership with the private sector and local community representatives to deliver quality waterfront homes in an area where demand for social housing is particularly high. Clanmil is fully committed to the benefits of successfully mixing private and social housing and we are really looking forward to handing these homes over to our new tenants in the Autumn.”

The minister also acknowledged the role of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, who had been working alongside Clanmil Housing Association and the developers to provide social housing in an area of high demand.

Habitat offers a hand-up to homeownership in the Shankill

Affordable homes

HFHNI’s commitment to delivering affordable home ownership for families on lower incomes has never been more relevant than in the current housing market.
An innovative supported, shared-equity model in partnership with Clanmil Housing offers a ‘hand up’ to people who find it impossible to get a foothold on the housing ladder.

Selected families help themselves by investing their ‘sweat equity’ (a minimum of 300 hours of their own labour) to build their own homes with other homeowners and hundreds of volunteers. Habitat helps by providing a partnership grant of 10% of the sale price as their deposit while Clanmil provides shared equity funding for up to 60% of the sale price, making purchasing a home more affordable.

In the current market, many mortgage lenders are looking for a 10% deposit and this is an obstacle for lower earners, often without significant savings.

Peter Farquharson, Executive Director Habitat for Humanity said, ‘With the support of individuals, churches and companies from across Northern Ireland Habitat for Humanity is uniquely placed to deliver the gift of a 10% deposit which can unlock access to mortgage finance and, in partnership with Clanmil Housing who will provide the shared equity funding, deliver home ownership for families on lower incomes.’

‘Over the last 15 years Habitat has brought together 15,000 volunteers from across Northern Ireland and completed 85 homes in North and West Belfast, Omagh and Downpatrick creating affordable housing solutions for lower income families prepared to partner with Habitat by building their own home and that of their neighbours.’

The Habitat scheme is unlike many other schemes currently available which offer to pay a deposit, since the 10% deposit is gifted to families and does not need to be repaid. Under the shared equity arrangement Clanmil will buy up to a 60% stake in each home which it will rent to the purchaser.  Purchasers can at any time buy further shares in their property from Clanmil. Families then take a mortgage for just 30% of the property. Typically repayments are likely to be less than £400 per month.

Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing said;
“Clanmil is delighted to join with global charity Habitat for Humanity to deliver this scheme, which fits perfectly with our commitment to finding innovative solutions to help people access affordable housing.

“It has become increasingly difficult for people in Northern Ireland on a moderate wage to secure a mortgage and buy their own home.  A shared equity scheme like this offers those who aspire to home ownership the chance to realise their dream and take that all important first step onto the property ladder.”

Regeneration of the mid-Shankill
HFHNI, in partnership with the Housing Executive and Clanmil Housing, is committed to being part of the ongoing regeneration of this area. The mid-Shankill project delivers a total of 19 units including 14 semi-detached 3 bedroom homes built in partnership with the local families who will live in them and thousands of volunteers from communities across Northern Ireland and further afield. This final release of 4 semi-detached 3 bedroom homes are due to begin in the begin in May and will be completed in the Autumn of this year.

More information
To find out more please contact Tom O’Dowd by telephoning 028 9026 2945 or e-mail tomod@habitatni.co.uk.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian movement with a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people.

In Northern Ireland our work is focused on community regeneration and reconciliation, building houses, building community and building hope locally and around the world.

Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland is a key partner in the global mission raising funds to support international projects and sending volunteer teams to work alongside families in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

To find out more about how you can help eliminate poverty housing in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, please contact Jenny Williams on 028 9024 3686.

Habitat for Humanity Website

MINISTER WELCOMES SHARED FUTURE FOR CLANMIL FAMILIES

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA , today launched a Shared Future housing scheme at Causeway Meadows in Lisburn.


Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie and Clanmil Chair, Geraldine Rice plant a Cherry Blossom tree at Causeway Meadows to commemorate the scheme’s official launch as a Shared Future scheme.

The Minister sees housing as an important route to a Shared Future in Northern Ireland.

She visited the families in their new homes which are owned and managed by Clanmil Housing

Margaret Ritchie said: “It is very rewarding for me to visit Causeway Meadows today to meet families committed to securing a shared future for their children. The New Housing Agenda is not simply about increasing the supply of good quality, well-designed, energy efficient homes. It is as much about creating sustainable communities that welcome diversity in whichever form that exists. In Causeway Meadows we have private tenants co-existing with social housing tenants as well as with people from different cultural and social backgrounds. This is what sharing our future is about.”

Clanmil Housing purchased 22 units for social housing within the 140 unit private development at a total cost of £4.6m. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive awarded £3,4m to Clanmil to deliver the scheme.

Geraldine Rice, Chair of Clanmil Housing welcomed the Minister and said:: “Clanmil aims to provide high quality homes at the lowest possible economic rent for people in housing need and we were delighted to purchase these beautiful homes in an area where demand for social housing is high.

“There has been 100% sign up to the Shared Futures charter by our tenants who are all committed to living together in a mixed neighbourhood. These families are helping to shape the future and Clanmil will be supporting them as they settle into their new homes and new community.”

Mr & Mrs Earl, whose family has just moved into one of the Clanmil houses, were pleased to show the Minister around their new home. Mrs Victoria Earl said: “Everyone is getting on really well. We may be different in some ways but it doesn’t matter, the children play together and everyone wants to make it work. It’s how I want my family to live and I’m sure it’s the same for the other tenants. We don’t really think about it as shaping the future, we’re just getting on with our lives in our lovely new homes.”

During the visit the Minister, helped by some of the local children, planted a tree in the shared green space located at the heart of the scheme.

CLANMIL SECURES £15M FROM EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK TO DELIVER NEW HOUSING PROJECTS ACROSS BELFAST

Clanmil Housing today announced that it has secured funding from the European Investment Bank to deliver three social housing developments across Belfast.

House Purchases - Equity Sharing Scheme

There has been a major amendment to the House Sales Scheme. As of 31st December 2008 Clanmil tenants are able to apply to buy their home in stages, as opposed to buying it outright in one go.

Eligible tenants will be able to purchase an initial stake of 25% instead of the previous 100%, all-or-nothing approach. Rent will be charged on the remaining portion not yet bought. They will then be able to purchase up to 100% full ownership in minimum increments of 5%.

This change will help tenants who do not have the means to enter into full home ownership get onto the property ladder.

For further information please contact Leslie Shaw at Head Office or e-mail leslie.shaw@clanmil.org.uk

Clanmil 2000!!!

Clanmil Housing, one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations, has just announced the purchase of six family houses in Dungannon, bringing to over 2000 the number of homes currently provided by Clanmil throughout the Province.

New Clanmil tenants, the O’Hagan family help Clanmil’s Deputy Chair Joan Baird, Clanmil Board Member, Mildred Shiells and Housing Officer, Veronica McGovern celebrate the acquisition of Clanmil’s 2000th home at Elm Lane, Dungannon

Kids Plant Future at Lavinia Square

Local children have been helping to put the finishing touches to the second phase of Clanmil Housing’s flagship development at the Ormeau Road.

Brennen Court – Best Kept for a Third Year!

Clanmil’s Brennen Court sheltered housing scheme in Magherafelt has won a top title in the prestigious SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards 2008 for the third time.

Pictured at the 2008 Supervalu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area awards are Paddy Quigley, Brennen Court, Doreen Muskett MBE, President of the NI Amenity Council, Jim Hamilton and Hynman, Brennen Court, Supervalu Sales Director Nigem Maxwell and Kieth McClean from Supervlau Magherafelt

Clanmil Makes Community Top Priority

Clanmil Housing has confirmed its commitment to corporate responsibility and communities by joining Business in the Community, a charitable organisation that helps companies find the best way to meet their responsibilities to society.

Clanmil Chief Executive, Clare McCarty receives Clanmil’s Business in the Community Charter from Michael Ryan, Chair of BITCNI

CLANMIL OFFERS A LOW COST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

In an attempt to ease access to affordable housing in Northern Ireland, Clanmil Housing Association, South Ulster Housing Association and Barclays, in conjunction with Turkington Holdings have formed a unique partnership to pilot the ‘Own a Home’ shared equity scheme.

The ‘Own a Home’ equity share scheme is a first for the UK offering a 100% mortgage with no deposit required and is currently exclusive to Turkington Holding’s, Clendinning development in Portadown.

The need for affordable housing has never been so critical and as mortgage lenders apply tighter financial criteria to loans, the opportunities for buyers to pay for conventional mortgages has become more limited, making shared equity schemes more attractive.

Turkington Holdings originally met with the Department for Social Development to obtain advice on ways to develop the scheme, in order to create cash flow for the company and offer affordable mortgages to people on moderate incomes.

Clanmil were approached by the DSD because of their track record of creating innovative partnerships to provide tailored solutions for the social housing need in Northern Ireland.

Through their association with Clanmil, Barclays has agreed a special dispensation for the ‘Own a Home’ pilot scheme, which offers a 100% mortgage to potential purchasers without them having to fund an initial deposit.

Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil explained, “The ‘Own a Home’ shared equity scheme fits perfectly with our commitment to seek out innovative solutions to help people access affordable housing.

‘The unprecedented inflation of property prices in Northern Ireland tipped the balance of affordability, making it extremely difficult for local people to buy their own homes, even as house prices fall. Because Barclays can offer a 100% mortgage on this pilot scheme, people on moderate wages can now access the benefits of home ownership.

‘Equity sharing enables people to take advantage of a life-changing opportunity and will enable those who aspire to home ownership to realise their dream.”

The ‘Own a Home’ shared equity scheme works in the following way;
The purchaser buys a 50% stake in the property with the benefit of a mortgage charged on it, provided by a commercial lender, in this case Barclays.

The developer, Turkington Holdings retains 25% for a period of up to ten years subject to it being the first party to be “staircased out” (when /if the purchaser buys further shares in the property).

Clanmil Housing Association buys the balancing 25% stake and rents it out to the purchaser (subject again to the purchaser’s right to staircase out).

If “staircasing” is not effected within that period, Clanmil Housing Association buys Turkington Holdings out at the then market value. Where values have declined below historic cost, Turkington Holdings may elect to retain the property, but subject to creating an additional “rent” as its return for the continued occupation of its share by the purchaser.

The purchaser can, at a future date buy a further share in the property from Turkingtons / Clanmil and become owners outright. Alternatively if they wish to move, they are able to sell their share on the open market.

Clare McCarty added, “We have been concerned for some time about the affordability of homes for people on moderate wages and the scheme that we are offering is an important tool in developing a low cost solution.

Clanmil is interested in developing this model elsewhere and is currently discussing these options with key market players.”

CLANMIL PLAYS MAJOR ROLE IN £200M DEAL FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES

The social housing sector received a massive shot in the arm as three leading housing associations confirmed a finance raising deal with banking group Barclays worth almost £190m and is set to deliver 1,000 affordable homes for Northern Ireland.

Left to Right Clare McCarty, Ian Elliott, Niall Quinn and Jean Fulton

PETER’S ‘ENERGY’ REAPS REWARDS

Peter Kane, Maintenance Manager with Clanmil Housing, has been recognised for his work in the promotion of energy efficiency measures throughout the organisation.

Peter Kane receiving his award from the Chairman of the Housing Council, Dineen Walker

Brennen Court Cleans up at SuperValu Best Kept Awards

Brennen Court, Magherafelt has taken a top title in the prestigious SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards and is one of the scheme’s Golden Anniversary winners.

Pictured at the SuperValu Best Kept Awards celebrating Brennen Court’s success are L-R Patrick Quigley, Malcolm Wilson, SuperValu Brand Manager Jackie McCloskey, NIAC President Doreen Muskett MBE, NIAC patron Joe Mahon and Matt Hyndman.

NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK 2007

To promote and highlight National Construction Week 2007 (8 - 12th October 2007), P7 pupils from St Malachy’s Primary School visited Clanmil Housing’s landmark development on the former site of North Rugby Club, Ormeau Road, to learn about the many career opportunities that are available within the construction industry..

CLANMIL WINS EMPLOYER AWARD

In a year when Clanmil Housing is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, the housing association has further reason to celebrate after being awarded the ‘Highly Commended’ accolade in the work life balance category in the Inaugural Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards 2007 at Ramada Hotel on Thursday 21st June 2007.

Karen Stilges receiving the award

Claire Rodgers, Bernie O’Donnell, Jim Pow, Karen Stilges and Clare McCarty

NEW ERA FOR HOUSING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Following the historic restoration of devolved power to Northern Ireland on
8th May 2007, Government Ministers were quick to see for themselves the major challenges that they face in their respective new roles.

LOCAL SCHOOL BOY NAMES NEW HOMES AT JAMAICA STREET

Following a competition to find a name for Clanmil Housing’s latest homes currently being built at Jamaica Street in Ardoyne, local school boy Michael Crawford from Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School, has emerged the winner with the name ‘Ardglen Place’. Clanmil Housing invited P7 children from Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School and Sacred Heart Primary Schools to suggest a name for the new scheme and were delighted by the response to the competition.

Clanmil Housing Association wins Working Families Small Business Award

Clanmil Housing Association has beaten off stiff competition throughout the United Kingdom to win the Working Families and Institute of Directors Small Business Award.

Left to right IoD Chief Executive, Andrew Main Wilson with Clanmil Chair, Geraldine Rice, Head of Corporate Services, Karen Stilges, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, The Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, and Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families

Chantelle Streets Ahead in the name game

Chantelle Gilroy, a West Belfast schoolgirl has been given the opportunity to put her mark firmly on the future by winning a competition to name a new street.

‘Shanvis Court’ is the winning name for Clanmil’s new homes at Percy Street and is a mixture of two names from either side of the peace line – Shankill and Divis - by bringing the two names together she hoped people from both communities could live in harmony -Chantelle’s mother Ann Marie Doyle was delighted for her daughter.

Jim Pow said that “community involvement is a crucial part of our development process and inviting local school children to suggest a name for new schemes is always a great way for them to be involved – it is through this competitions such as this that we find out a great deal about the local history of an area in which we are building new homes, and is always very interesting.

He added “the name Shanvis Court is a nice name and it is great that the younger generation are thinking in this way – the reasoning behind it is what attracted us to the name”

CLANMIL NEW SECURITY INITIATIVE GIVES TENANTS ‘PEACE OF MIND’

Clanmil is delighted to announce that the Police in Coleraine have launched the Province’s first ‘Fold Watch’ Scheme, which is designed to help prevent crime occurring at sheltered accommodation in the town.

Blessington Court, Wins 2006 SuperValu Best Kept Award

Blessington Court in Rosetta, South Belfast has taken a top title in the prestigious SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards 2006.

KERMIT HELPS CLANMIL GO GREEN

With a little help from their friend, Kermit the Frog, Clanmil Housing is helping raise awareness of environmental issues during Energy Savings Week 2006.

Clanmil Maintenance Manager, Peter Kane, Kermit the Frog, Chief Executive, Clare McCarty and Maintenance Assistant, Michelle Lorrimer

• selected partner with Energy Savings Trust Advice Centres to be included in pilot to drive energy saving initiatives within housing in Northern Ireland;
  
• the upgrade of 300 homes from Economy 7 to oil or gas central heating;
  
• provision of 500 low energy light bulbs to its schemes;
  
• securing funding for sensor lighting to its housing schemes;
  
• securing funding for installation of solar panels at its head office in Belfast
  
• fitting of solar powered heating and ventilation systems at one of its sheltered housing schemes;
  
• installation of a fuelstretcher unit to heating system at one of its sheltered housing schemes;
  

Celebrating achievement – Belfast’s Top 50 Business People

Carol McTaggart, Clanmil Housing’s Director of Property Services, has been recognised for her achievements in social housing by being nominated as one of the ‘Developing Belfast – Top 50 Business People’ in 2006.

NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK 2006

To promote and highlight National Construction Week 2006 (5 - 12th October 2006), P7 pupils from Holy Cross Boys’ School and Sacred Heart Boys’ School visited Clanmil Housing’s latest housing development at Jamaica Street, North Belfast, to learn about the many career opportunities that are available within the construction industry today (6th October 2005 at 10.45 am).

   

NATIONAL FALLS AWARENESS DAY 2006 ‘STEP INTO THE FUTURE’

Clanmil Housing has, once again, given its support to the Help the Aged sponsored campaign ‘National Falls Awareness Day by holding a series of events across Northern Ireland. The aim of the day was to raise awareness of the risk of falling as people age and the theme this year was ‘Step into the Future’.

SILVER SURFERS

Silver Surfers Day is the annual day in the calendar set aside by ERoSH to promote the use of information technology by older people.

One of the major attractions this year has been the visit to some of our schemes by the BBC’s Big Yellow Bus.

During these day long visits, staff of the BBC provide tenants with some tasters in how to surf the web, download digital photography and, at the same time, learn about the work of the local BBC radio stations and how they work.

    

HUGO DUNCAN – LIVE AT THE SAVOY

Clanmil was delighted when BBC Radio Ulster’s very own Hugo Duncan recently broadcast his daily radio show live from our Sheltered Housing Scheme at The Savoy, Bangor.

TENANT FORUM ELECTS LEADERS AT THE AGM

The Tenant Forum held its Annual General Meeting on 16th June 2006 at Clanmil offices in Northern Whig House, Belfast.

At the meeting members unanimously elected Will Linton as Chair and Des Long as Vice Chair of the Tenant Forum. Will has served as Chair on the Forum since its inception in 2000. He is the Chair of Hezlet Court House Committee in Coleraine and also sits on the Board of Management and Audit Committee of Clanmil.

Des Long is a tenant in Giboney Court sheltered housing scheme in Cookstown and he has been a member of the Tenant Forum for a number of years.

The Tenant Forum meets quarterly and is a consultative body to review policy affecting the tenants and to oversee performance. The minutes of the Forum are available for any tenant. Please contact Northern Whig House and speak to housing management staff and we will put you onto a mailing list for future issues of the minutes. New members to the Forum are welcome. House Committees and Tenants Associations are encouraged to join the Forum. Even if your housing scheme does not have an established committee, up to two representative tenants from such schemes may participate in the Forum.

Over the past couple of years the Forum has considered policy reviews including The Service Charge Policy, the Rent Setting Policy, and has reviewed and monitored performance in relation to repairs, arrears and empty properties. The Forum has also introduced a Code of Conduct for members and reviewed the Terms of Reference for the Forum. Meetings are held in Northern Whig House and annually at an alternative venue. In March 2006 members held their meeting in Castlereagh Borough Offices at the invitation of the Chair of Clanmil Housing, Geraldine Rice who also held the office of Deputy Mayor of Castlereagh Council. Members enjoyed a tour of Castlereagh Offices followed by lunch at the Council’s prestigious new offices.

At present representative members from sheltered housing schemes for older people are on the Tenant Forum. We particularly welcome tenants from other housing schemes including family developments and accommodation for single people. The next meeting of the Forum is 29th September 2006. Please contact your Housing Officer or Housing Management staff in Clanmil on
028 9087 6000 or email us at housing@clanmil.org.uk We will be delighted to talk to you or any tenants on membership to the Forum.

MOVING INTO A NEW CLANMIL HOME

Moving into  a new home can be a very daunting experience for most of us and there always seems to be so much to do and think about. Here at Clanmil we have decided to do a little bit to help and are now giving every new tenant a small “starter pack” . At least you will be able to make your first cup of tea and have a biscuit when you take a break from organising and shifting furniture.

Louise and Dylan Boyle with their starter pack

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

A cultural extravaganza was held on 17th May at Northern Whig House and brought together a variety of groups from different cultures to celebrate diversity and build upon the valuable relationships that have already been established between the groups involved.

GREY MATTERS DAY

On Friday 21st July 2006, tenants from Clanmil Housing’s Supported Housing scheme for people with dementia at Mullan Mews in Belfast, joined thousands of sheltered housing and supported housing tenants across the UK to mark ‘Grey Matters Day’.

It’s ‘Kids Play’ naming Clanmil’s Newest Housing Scheme!

Following a competition to find a name for the 10 new houses currently being built at Percy Street, West Belfast, local girl Chantelle Gilroy has emerged the winner. Clanmil Housing invited P5-P7 children from St Peter’s Primary School to suggest a name for the new scheme and , from almost 100 entries received - ‘Shanvis Street’ was the final name chosen by the panel.

BADLY NEEDED NEW HOMES WELCOMED

Elected representatives of Crumlin paid a site visit today, Friday, 16th June to see for themselves the work that is being carried out to provide 16 new homes at Main street, Crumlin by Clanmil Housing.

Clanmil’s Director of Property Services, Carol McTaggart with local Councillors Ann Marie Logue and Tommy Burns

Cllr Ann Marie Logue with Clanmil’s Maintenance Officer, Niall Murtagh

TENANT FORUM

Each year the Tenant Forum hold a number of meetings to discuss their business and most of these meetings are held at Northern Whig House in Belfast. However, where possible, meetings are held at alternative locations around the Province.

WE ARE OFFICIALLY “INVESTORS IN PEOPLE!!

Clanmil is delighted to announce that it has been successful in receiving the accreditation for Investors in People. This is a standard which is assessed by an external assessor and measures how well Clanmil manage and develop their staff.

A number of staff from all areas of the Association’s work were interviewed as part of the process and a summary of the very positive report which came back from the assessor was :-

“There is an immense loyalty and sense of pride within the organisation. Subsequently motivation is high with a real commitment to “providing an open and professional service, which is all embracing and sensitive to the needs of the individual”, as well to the quality of the services and care they provide”.

SECRETARY OF STATE CUTS FIRST SOD IN LANDMARK HOUSING SCHEME

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Right Honourable Peter Hain MP, today cut the first sod of a new 27m social housing development at the landmark site previously known at North Rugby and Cricket Ground on the Ormeau Road Belfast.

Clanmil gains CSHS accreditation

The Association is delighted to announce that after months of hard work we have been successful in our re-accreditation of the Code of Practice for the Sheltered Housing Service (CSHS).

The Certificate of Achievement was received in November 2005 and accreditation is for a further three years. The achievement of the Code of Practice is extremely important to us and demonstrates our commitment to ensure that the highest possible standards are maintained in the delivery of our sheltered housing service. The standards we have been successful in are as follows:-

• Standard 1 - Equality of Opportunity and Diversity
  
• Standard 2 - Rights and Responsibilities
  
• Standard 3 - Confidentiality
  
• Standard 4 - Independence and Empowerment
  
• Standard 5 - Service Delivery, Review and Continuous Improvement
  
• Standard 6 - Professional Roles and Responsibilities
  
• Standard 7 - Collaboration & Community Development
  
• Standard 8 - Trained & Supported Staff
  
• Standard 9 - Policy and Legislation
  
• Standard 10 - Physical Environment
  

Back Row: Siobhan Graham, Una O’Reilly, Phyllis Greer, Claire Rodgers and Colette Moore
Front Row: Laura Gibbons and Melissa McGarvey
(absent: Peter Kane and Jim Pow)

CLANMIL ANNOUNCES MORE NEW HOMES FOR WEST BELFAST

Clanmil Housing is delighted to announce that work has commenced on the creation of more new homes for the west of the City.

MAJOR HOUSING BOOST ANNOUNCED FOR JAMAICA STREET

Clanmil Housing is delighted to announce that work will shortly commence on the development of 69 new homes on the site of the old Eggbox Factory at Jamaica Street, North Belfast.

Commenting on the news that these new homes are to be built in the Ardoyne area of Northe Belfast, Gerry Kelly MLA said:-

“We very much welcome Clanmil Housing Association’s initiative in providing 69 additional dwellings in Ardoyne. North Belfast has a chronic housing shortage so developments such as this have to be seen as very positive indeed.

We appreciate the consultation undertaken by Clanmil Housing Association to date and commend their commitment to continuing that consultation with the local community through to the end of the new-build.”

Clanmil’s Director of Property Services, Carol McTaggart said:-

“This is a major investment by Clanmil and represents our single largest housing development in the North of the City to date. We have worked hard on this project, in partnership with local elected representatives and community groups to bring this development to fruition and we are grateful to them for their support and input during our consultations with them. All of the new homes, which will be a combination of houses and apartments, will be built to lifetime homes standard.” She added “the development of these homes is further evidence of Clanmil’s ongoing commitment to the provision of new homes in North Belfast” – work is nearing completion at the Weavers Court complex in Ligoniel where 41 new homes are being provided and 35 new homes at Mountcollyer.

MLA Gerry Kelly pictured with Clanmil Chair Geraldine Rice and Libby Murphy of the Ardoyne Focus Group

Past Chair, Derek Rankin, thrilled with MBE

Everyone at Clanmil was delighted to learn that our immediate past Chair, Mr Derek Rankin, was awarded the MBE in the New Year Honours List which was announced on New Year’s Eve.

Speaking after the announcement Derek said:-

“I am thrilled with the award and am looking forward to the trip to Buckingham Palace in the New Year.” He added “It is not only an award for me but reflects on the entire organisation. During my term as Chair of Clanmil we achieved considerable success in all areas of our work and this success continues today. The success is of course due in the main to the high calibre of staff that we have at all levels throughout Clanmil and I am grateful to them for their hard work and support. I would also pay particular thanks to my colleagues on the Board of Management who provided valuable support to me during my period as Chair of Clanmil”

Chief Executive Clare McCarty was delighted with the announcement. “This is a well deserved award and recognises the hard work and dedication that Derek has given to Clanmil over a considerable period of time. It also reflects positively on Clanmil as a housing provider and everyone within Clanmil should be justly proud of the award."

Work starts on new homes

Clanmil is pleased to announce that work has started on the construction of dozens of new homes in the Mountcollyer area of Belfast. A total of 35 family homes are to be built where a number of vacant houses were demolished to make way for the new development. The scheme is being carried out by the Association as part of the North Belfast Housing Strategy and will include a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses.

P7 Pupils gain valuable insight while on-site

To promote and highlight National Construction Week 2005 (6 - 13th October 2005), P7 pupils from Ligoniel and St Vincent de Paul Primary Schools visited Clanmil Housing’s latest housing development at Hick’s Bullick, Ligoniel to learn about the many career opportunities that are available within the construction industry (13th October 2005 at 10.00 am).

FULL STEAM AHEAD AS SAILORTOWN HOUSING PROJECT GETS GO AHEAD

Clanmil Housing is delighted to announce that they have secured the purchase of the James Clow Old Mill at Pilot Street in Belfast. Located in the historic Sailortown district of Belfast Docklands, the site will be developed by Clanmil to provide social housing in an area of North Belfast which has been identified to help in efforts to satisfy housing need. Development of the site will commence as soon as possible. Speaking following purchase of the site, Clanmil Housing Chief Executive Clare McCarty said:-

“We are delighted to purchase this historic site in the heart of Sailortown in Belfast Docklands. When building commences on the site it will represent the first housing development this side of York Street in over 100 years. We have worked extremely hard in the acquisition of this site and are proud that our efforts have been rewarded. The real beneficiaries of course will be local people and we are grateful to those who have worked with us to bring much needed housing to the area, St Patrick’s and St Josephs Housing Committee and Sailortown Regeneration 2000 . We hope that with their continued support we will ensure that quality housing is provided and acts as a calalyst for further development in the area.



Speaking on behalf of Sailortown Regeneration 2000 Pat Benson was delighted with news that work by Clanmil Housing will soon commence on the housing they have campaigned long and hard for over the years:-

“In the 1960s many families were forced to leave the area when homes were demolished to make way for new infrastructure for the City, namely the M1 and M2 motorways! The Sailortown Regeneration Groups welcome the efforts of Clanmil Housing and see this as the first step towards our vision of an urban village in the dockland area, similar to what has taken place in Liverpool and the Eldonian Project which has won the World Habitat Award. This project shows what can be achieved through cooperation and consultation. We look forward very much to continuing the partnership working we have established with Clanmil Housing and other statutory bodies to bring 40 years of effort to fruition.

Liam Wiggins, Chairperson, speaking on behalf of St Patrick’s and St Josephs Housing Committee echoed these views:-

We as a group certainly welcome this housing development. For our Committee this marks the beginning of the regeneration of the Dockland area of Belfast and hopefully it will open minds as to the opportunities that now exist with the swaves of unused land that could be used for much needed social housing within these areas. Clanmil Housing must be congratulated for taking the leap and by doing so has, in a very constructive manner, opened the door to tackling the chronic housing needs of North Belfast”.

He added “to the people of North Belfast, Housing campaigners, church leaders, politicians, businesses, and educationalists and the local communities who have supported the St Patricks and St Josephs vision of an urban village must take great heart from this housing development. For our part, We at St Patricks and St Josephs will continue their role in securing sites for the needs of our communities.

Further details please contact Jim Pow on 028 9087 6000 or jim.pow@clanmil.org.uk.

COMPLETION OF NEW HOMES MARKS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

Clanmil Housing is delighted to announce that the first families have moved into their new homes on the Mountainhill Road side of the Weavers Court Complex. The eleven new family homes mark the completion of the first phase of housing in the complex and the tenants who have moved in are thrilled with their new homes.

Ligoniel Village Regeneration Partnership, formed in 2000, has done much to coordinate the efforts of private, statutory, community and voluntary organisations in an effort to revitalise Ligoniel Village. Speaking on behalf of the Ligoniel Village Regeneration Partnership, Kieran O’Reilly said:-

“The provision of these homes marks a significant milestone in the aspirations of the Partnership and in the rejuvenation of Ligoniel Village, to bring back into being the vibrancy of community life that was so prevalent before the decline of industry and, of course, the onset of the troubles. We have campaigned for some time now for the recreation of the village centre and these new homes provided by Clanmil, together will those that are due for completion in the autumn, will go some way to restoring the Ligoniel community by developing derelict sites within the area. Decent housing is a fundamental factor in the establishment of a vibrant and sustainable community and this has been achieved through the provision of these new homes”.

Clanmil Housing Chief Executive, Clare McCarty is delighted that first families have moved into their new homes. She said:-

“The completion of these homes, together with the ones due to be completed in the autumn, will bring the total number of new homes provided by Clanmil in Ligoniel Village to 43. This demonstrates the commitment of Clanmil to ensuring that affordable and quality housing is provided where it is most needed. She added “Clanmil is proud to play its part in the community regeneration at Ligoniel and are grateful for the valuable input from local representatives. She further added that the construction of the development had been finished to an extremely high standard by the Contractor, Omax Construction.

Clanmil looks forward to the completion of the next phase of the Weaver’s Court project which will see the provision of more new home and will include apartments for older people and houses and apartments for families.”

CLANMIL ANNOUNCES KICK OFF AT NORTH RUGBY GROUND

Clanmil Housing is delighted to announce that it has secured the purchase and development of one of Belfast’s landmark sites - North Rugby Club. Work on this major development will soon be underway and will represent the single biggest investment of housing in the history of Clanmil, and cements its position as one of Northern Ireland’s leading providers of social housing.

Chief Executive Clare McCarty said that..

“This is a very exciting time for everyone in Clanmil Housing. The start of the work to these new homes will mark the culmination of years of hard work to bring this project to fruition.” She added “we are grateful to locally elected and community group representatives who have worked tirelessly with Clanmil to bring this project to the stage we are at now, and demonstrates the commitment of Clanmil to ensure that community consultation is pivotal in its delivery of social housing. To assist in this process Clanmil has recently held two information evenings to present its proposals for the new housing and provided an opportunity for the people living in the vicinity of the Ormeau Road to review the proposals have their queries answered by Clanmil staff.”

Clare McCarty and Geraldine Rice overlooking the former site of North Rugby Club

COSY HOMES SCHEME

A major initiative this year has been the development of a heating strategy. The remit is the replacement of all Economy 7 heating systems with a more cost effective/energy efficient heating system. Given the cost involved this is being rolled out ona programmed basis and we were delighted to succeed in accessing grant funding through the ‘Cosy Homes Scheme.

Cosy Homes provides advice and grant assistance for registered Housing Associations to replace Economy 7 (off peak) electric heating with energy efficient heating systems and insulation to current best practice standards.

This has enabled Clanmil to replace the heating systems at 75 homes. Work commenced in February 2005 and was completed at the end of April 2005.

Mrs Harper (centre) of Shiells Houses, Carrickfergus is delighted with her new heating. She is pictured from left to right with Chalïma Khallil (French exchange student), Katie Pilkington, Cosy Homes, Gavin Twamley, Phoenix Gas and Peter Kane, Clanmil Housing.

CLANMIL HOUSING ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW WORK-LIFE BALANCE PROGRAMME

Day off for your birthday, payments for city centre weighting and private health care are just some of the measures that Clanmil Housing Association, one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing providers, has launched as part of a ground breaking package of work-life balance employment practices.

Clanmil’s new extensive work-life balance programme is in addition to existing and current statutory employment obligations and comes as a result of a wide-ranging consultation with staff. One of the key focuses of the employee survey was to examine what Clanmil could do to help staff balance the working lives of staff with their non-working needs.

The new measures, which are designed to help staff work towards a more work-life balanced environment by providing them with practical support and guidance, include: Bonus payments to staff for qualifications; Carers leave; Paternity leave; City centre weighting; Birthday leave; Trading and buying and selling of annual leave; Term time working; Bereavement leave; Career breaks; Flexi leave; Compressed working week; Work breaks, Private health care and Job sharing.

Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing, Clare McCarty stated:

The launch of our work-life programme stemmed from organisational feedback our employees were keen to have more flexibility in the way they were allowed to work and wanted to take more ownership and responsibility for managing their working lives.

We have listened to the needs of our staff and combined that with the needs of the tenants we serve to create a new family friendly working programme that will maintain the high quality service we provide to our tenants”

She went on:

“The old ways of working are simply not flexible enough to meet the pressures on people's time and the demands of our tenants customers. Something has to give - and in most organisations, it's people.

However, when people are your most valuable resource, work-life balance policies and practices make common sense. Getting the right balance between work and home life is vitally important. Working excessively long hours is linked to ill health, stress and low productivity and in particular, is one of the major barriers to women’s advancement.”

The launch of the programme took place during the Annual Staff Conference held at the Europa Hotel Belfast which also included presentation of the Staff Excellence Awards. These awards are presented to staff to recognise the significant contribution they make to Clanmil Housing and, in particular to the service we provide to our tenants.

This year there were four categories of award and the winners of each award were:

‘Tenant Nominated’ (al tenants were invited to vote for a member of staff who, in their opinion, have made a difference to the way in which they live.

Siobhan Graham, Scheme Coordinator, Slemish Court, Ballymena (Pictured Left)

Margaret Elliott, Domestic Assistant, Hezlet Court, Coleraine

Winner – Maureen Corry, Home Manager,
Giboney House, Belfast

12 NEW HOMES PROVIDED AT CLIFTONVILLE COURT, NORTH BELFAST

We are delighted to advise that Cliftonville Court in North Belfast has recently been completed and that all of the new homes are fully occupied. Jacqueline Morgan who has moved into one of the seven new houses and her children Connell and Caitlin (pictured below) are thrilled with their new home. All of the homes (five two bedroom apartments and seven three bedroom houses) have been built to lifetime homes standard.

A major feature of this scheme is that it has been designed and built to the standard ‘Secured by Design’. This scheme has been developed by the Association of Chief Police Officers to establish a Minimum standard of physical security, together with an improved development layout, designed to reduce the opportunity for crime and anti-social behaviour

PROPERTY SERVICES UPDATE

Landmark site purchased after marathon effort

After a marathon effort of negotiations, consultations and lobbying by the Association, we are delighted to announce that Clanmil has purchased the landmark site which was previously the home of North Rugby Club on the Ormeau Road in Belfast.

The purchase of the site represents the largest single development of social housing by Clanmil and will provide 184 new homes when complete. The first phase will provide 79 new homes and work on these will commence in the Autumn.

NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK - A GREAT SUCCESS ONCE MORE

To coincide with National Construction Week 2004 (6 - 13th October 2004), lower sixth year pupils from Rathmore Grammar School visited Clanmil Housing’s latest housing development at Cloona House, Poleglass to learn more about career opportunities with the construction industry (today 7th October 2004 at 10.00 am).

The purpose of the week long campaign is all about giving 14-19 year olds the opportunity to experience the excitement and challenge of working in a modern construction industry through a ‘hands on’ event.

Speaking at the event, Clanmil Housing’s Director of Property Services, Carol McTaggart, said that “Clanmil Housing was delighted to be participating in the event for a second consecutive year and was glad that pupils from Rathmore Grammar School were able to join us”. The site selected this year was the Cloona Housing development on the Colin Glen Road in Poleglass. Ms McTaggart added that “when complete, the Cloona Housing development will provide an additional 86 family homes – this represents Clanmil’s largest single housing development and reinforces the Association’s commitments to the provision of social housing in Belfast. During the visit the children were given a background into some of the key aspects of construction and also experienced some of the work by the various people involved in the building of new homes”.

Speaking on behalf of Rathmore Grammar School, Head of Careers, Pauline McQuillan, said that “she was delighted that the pupils had been invited to participate in National Construction Week 2004. “There are a variety of skilled and exciting career opportunities available in the construction industry for both men and women. It is through visits such as this that young people gain a greater insight into a particular industry and who knows, some of them may, as a direct result of the visit, think that a career in the construction industry may be for them?”

If you would like any further information please contact Jim Pow 9087 6000 or jim.pow@clanmil.org.uk.

NEW CHAIR APPOINTED AT CLANMIL HOUSING

Clanmil Housing Association, one of Northern Ireland’s leading Housing Associations has appointed Training Consultant, Geraldine Rice as its new Chair.

Ms Rice from Carryduff, was appointed as Chair by the shareholders at a recent meeting and takes up her position with immediate effect. Speaking following her appointment, Geraldine paid tribute to the work of her predecessor, Derek Rankin who steps down after a five-year term. She said:

“Clanmil Housing Association has seen significant growth in all aspects of its work during Derek’s tenure. Services provided such as development and maintenance to other Housing Associations has increased, the number of staff employed now stands at over 160 and the number of properties under management has increased by almost a third, to over 1550 properties.

“It will be my aim to build upon the excellent work undertaken by Derek. It is my aim that Clanmil Housing Association provides the highest level of service delivery to its customers and continues to be innovative in meeting its objectives.”

Clanmil Housing Association has earmarked £15 million for an exciting development programme over the next year. This will see construction start on nearly 300 extra homes, which will provide a diverse range of housing. The Association is also working in partnership with the South and East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust to provide supported housing for people with dementia at Willowfield in Belfast, as well as embarking on a pilot project for group housing at the Glenn Road in Belfast for the Irish Travelling Community.

CLANMIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO KEY POST

Clanmil Housing Association Chief Executive, Clare McCarty has been appointed the first female Northern Ireland Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Speaking after her appointment, Clare told delegates at the RICS AGM that that she was looking forward to helping RICS Northern Ireland build upon its position as the eyes, ears and mouth of land, property and construction in Northern Ireland.

“With over 2,000 local members, RICS Northern Ireland is already one of the biggest and most influential professional organisations in the Province”, she said. “It is vital that we continue to build on that position to help grow our membership and to ensure that our voice is heard in debates affecting land, property and constitution”.

“We must also continue to forward Chartered Surveying as a career choice at our schools and universities, and as RICS Northern Ireland’s first female Chairman, I particularly hope that we can attract many more women to the profession”.

Clare McCarty joined Clanmil Housing Association in 1984 as Chief Executive and Secretary to the Board, having previously worked for Connswater Housing Association and Nottingham City Council. In addition to being a member of RICS, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and was Northern Ireland Branch Chair from 2001-2003. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

CLANMIL HELPS CHILDREN BUILD A BETTER FUTURE

To coincide with National Construction Week 2003 (8-15th October), groups of children from Suffolk Road Primary School and St Kieran’s Primary School, Belfast, visited Clanmil Housing’s latest housing development at Pembrooke, Poleglass to learn more about the industry.

The purpose of the weeklong campaign is to encourage young people to consider a career in the construction industry. Speaking on behalf of Clanmil Housing, Director of Property Services, Carol McTaggart, said that “Clanmil Housing was delighted to host the visit to its latest housing development in West Belfast. She added that when complete the development at Pembroke Loop Road would provide an additional 12 units of family housing all of which have been designed to lifetime homes standard. During the visit the children were given a background into some of the key aspects of construction and also experienced some of the work by the various people involved in the building of new homes”. As well as hands on tasks such as bricklaying and joinery the children received various presentations on the types of skilled work involved in construction”.

Principals Leo Rice and Ian Gourley were delighted the children had been invited to participate in National Construction Week. “There are a variety of skilled and exciting career opportunities available in the construction industry for both men and women. It is through visits such as this that children gain a greater insight into a particular industry and who knows, some of the children may, as a direct result of the visit, think that a career in the construction industry may be for them?”

CLANMIL CELEBRATES SHELTERED HOUSING AWARENESS WEEK

During the period 6-10 October 2003 staff from Clanmil Housing pulled out all the stops to support Northern Ireland’s first Sheltered Housing Awareness Week. ERoSH Northern Ireland which stands for the (Emerging Role of Sheltered Housing) is a new consortium of Sheltered Housing providers comprising 19 Housing Associations, who together, provide over 10,000 sheltered homes across Northern Ireland.

Colette Moore, Clanmil’s Director of Housing and Vice Chair of ERoSH said that “the role of ERoSH Northern Ireland is to raise awareness and understanding of sheltered housing and promote its benefits both to the public and to professionals. It also acts as a consultative body for policy makers on behalf of the providers and tenants of sheltered schemes.

“The main purpose of Sheltered Housing Awareness Week is to make older people fully aware of what sheltered housing is, and the benefits it can offer tenants such as well-maintained properties, a secure environment, an active social life and the help and support from scheme staff.”
During the week ERoSH Northern Ireland launched a Directory of Sheltered Housing - this provides details of the 10,000 sheltered housing homes across the Province – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

DERRYGONNELLY HOUSING SCHEME OPENED

Mr Ernie Fisher, Managing Director of Fisher Engineering Limited performed the Official Opening of Clanmil Housing’s family housing scheme at Mill Green, Derrygonnelly on Monday 29th September 2003.

This rural housing scheme consists of two bungalows and four houses. The site itself was land surplus to the requirements of the adjacent Northern Ireland Housing Executive estate. The Executive subsequently identified that there was additional social housing need in the village and the land was later transferred to Clanmil Housing to develop more family housing.

The initial proposal was to build eight dwellings on the site. However, following a request from the local Residents Association and discussions with local Councillor Gerry Gallagher, the number of houses was reduced to six and the surplus land was designated as a as a play area for the children - during a short ceremony at the scheme, Mr Fisher unveiled a commemorative seat for use by tenants in this area.

CLANMIL PROVIDING INNOVATIVE IT SOLUTIONS

We were delighted to learn that some of our tenants from The Savoy, Bangor, and The Imperial in Donaghadee, recently completed an IT Course at their respective schemes. The course was specifically designed to introduce older people to the world of Information Communication Technology (ICT). Most of those who attended the courses had never even sat in front of a computer so they were appreciative of the opportunity to have the new technology explained to them in a friendly and relaxed way and, in the comfort of their own common room! The course, run in conjunction with the Belfast Institute of Further and higher Education has been a great success and has opened up a whole new world to a new generation of users. The courses are still being run at the moment and a new course commenced in September in the use of Web Sites.

In recognition of our efforts to provide innovative IT solutions, we were delighted when, at an awards ceremony at The Odyssey Arena on 31st July 2003, and attended by many local celebrities, the Association was runner up in the BT Northern Ireland Regional Final of the BT Broadband Challenge.

The award was in recognition Clanmil’s achievements using BT Broadband in an innovative and fresh way, to assist both staff and our tenants. The combined use of Broadband and Business Highway technology which has been established at all of our sheltered schemes, Housing with Care Homes and Supported Housing Scheme, coupled with our imaginative use of our Firewall to ensure maximum speed of data, with secure and fast access, greatly impressed the judges. They were also impressed by our attempts to provide tenants with Broadband, rather than a simple dialup Internet link to PCs. Our commitment to search for new, innovative solutions, using state of the art telecommunications solutions, meant we were awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ in this very competitive category.

Local School kids reach out to suggest new name for housing scheme

Local school children have named Clanmil Housing Association’s newest family housing scheme in Belfast. Clanmil Housing invited the children from Avoniel Primary School to suggest names for the new scheme, which has been developed close to the school at Woodcott Avenue. From the list of suggestions received - ‘LINEN GARDENS AND LINEN COURT’ were the final names chosen by the panel of judges – due to the layout of the scheme it was necessary to select two names.

Linen Gardens and Linen Court is the latest scheme in Belfast to be developed by Clanmil Housing Association, a leading provider of social housing in Northern Ireland. It is a general needs scheme consisting of 28 houses, bungalows and flats.

Clare McCarty, Chief Executive, Clanmil Housing Association said –

“We are delighted with the enthusiastic involvement of the local school children at Avoniel Primary School in naming the scheme ‘Linen Gardens and Linen Parade’. She said that the panel had been extremely impressed with the imagination shown by the children in the suggestions that had been received and through the competition, and had learnt a lot about the history of the area. At the School Assembly Clare McCarty presented each of the winners with book tokens and all of the children who entered the competition were also presented with pens.

Geoffrey Blower, Principal of Avoniel Primary School said –

“We were delighted to be invited by Clanmil to participate in naming the new housing scheme. It is important for the local community to become involved in initiatives such as the naming of new housing developments and everyone here at Avoniel Primary School hopes that these quality houses, bungalows and flats at Linen Gardens and Linen Court will bring a lot of happiness to the people who will make them their homes."

HRH The Prince of Wales Performs Official Opening of Clanmil Housing Associations New Offices

PRESS RELEASE

HRH the Prince of Wales Performs Official opening of Clanmil Housing Association’s New Offices

Clanmil Housing Association is delighted to announce that, during his latest visit to Northern Ireland (7th February 2002), His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales performed the Official Opening of Clanmil Housing’s offices in Belfast.

During his visit the Prince of Wales met with Board and tenant Members, staff, design team, statutory representatives as well as housing colleagues who were also present at the opening.

The historic ‘Northern Whig Building’ is one of Belfast’s oldest commercial buildings and, following the work carried out to the building by Clanmil Housing, won several important awards for its innovate restoration and its important contribution to the regeneration of the area. It is now home to the headquarters of Clanmil Housing. In space which was surplus to the requirements of the Association, Clanmil took the decision to develop it and provide business units to facilitate easy-in, easy-out tenancies. This was to encourage artists, and voluntary groups who, without this support, would be unable to locate in the city centre – close to the Cathedral Quarter - due to the increasing costs of rented accommodation.

During his visit Prince Charles met with some of the tenants of the Clanmil arts and Business Units including the New Belfast Community Arts Initiative, a group providing support to various cross community arts groups throughout Belfast; Michael Jackson, a freelance artist; the Prison Arts Foundation which provide resources and support for art and drama in the prisons of Northern Ireland. His Royal Highness also met representatives of the Multi-Agency Resource Centre, who provide trauma service counselling in the field of conflict related trauma.

Given his interest in the arts and voluntary groups His Royal Highness was clearly interested in the work of the groups. He appeared to greatly enjoy the poem read to him by Jane Grace, entitled ‘Journey’ taken from the collection ‘You can’t eat flags for breakfast’, published by the New Belfast Community Arts Initiative.


Following the unveiling of the plaque Prince Charles spoke of the history and importance of Northern Whig House and how impressed he was that “ new life had been brought back into this historic building”. Also, Prince Charles said how “strongly he felt about the importance of reviving historic buildings and not just leaving them as “pathetic refugees”.

The day was a great success and much enjoyed by everyone who attended

Clare McCarty elected CIH Chair

Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing, Clare McCarty, was recently elected Chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Northern Ireland Branch.

Clare has been involved with the Institute for a number of years and at both local and national level. She is currently a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing Professional Practice Advisory Group.

Clanmil raises a glass to toast 25th Anniversary

Clanmil Housing Association has been celebrating its 25th Anniversary in style with a series of Clanmil '25th Anniversary’ parties across Northern Ireland.

Tenants, Board Members and staff have been joining together to mark the occasion with parties being arranged at most of the Association’s schemes throughout Northern Ireland. As a way of commemorating the occasion, everybody attending has been presented with an engraved glass to ‘toast’ the success of Clanmil Housing and to wish it continued success as one of Northern Ireland’s leading providers of social housing.

The Association will be marking the anniversary in a number of ways throughout the year and the scheme parties are a way of kicking off the celebrations - these will be followed by a fundraising event which, hopefully, will be held at Stormont later in the year. In addition to this a staff/tenant conference is also being organised and arrangements for this are well advanced.

Since the Association was registered as a Housing Association with the Department of the Environment in 1977 it has, during the proceeding 25 years, established itself as one of the leading providers of social housing in Northern Ireland. In its year of registration, the Association built the first sheltered housing scheme in Northern Ireland at The Old Mill in Larne. Twenty-five years later, the Association manages over 1400 units of accommodation throughout Northern Ireland. In addition to sheltered housing, the Association provides family housing, housing for single people, housing with care and special needs housing.

The Chief Executive of Clanmil, Clare McCarty, is delighted that the parties have been such a success.

“Celebrating Clanmil's 25th Anniversary with tenants and staff has given us the opportunity to look back with pride at our achievements in addressing social housing needs in local communities right across Northern Ireland. I am pleased to advise that the Association has a healthy development programme for the next few years. With our professional and committed workforce, we will move forward with rigour to embrace the many and varied challenges that the Association will undoubtedly face over the next 25 years”.

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