North Belfast action plan giving community a say in the future housing system

A new action plan and report is hoping to give residents in North Belfast a say in the future of the area's housing system. The action plan for Lower North Belfast was funded by the Housing Executive's community cohesion unit and explores and assesses housing need from Tiger's Bay to Lower Skegoniel and Shore Crescent.

It was developed and co-produced following discussions between Philip Brett MLA and Housing Executive Director of Housing Jennifer Hawthorne.

Castle Community Trust, formerly known as the HUBB held three workshops, funded by the Housing Executive to the tune of almost £7,700, to improve community relations and help resolve housing issues in the area as part of a wider regeneration plan.

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Around 120 Housing Executive tenants and their families attended the workshops in St Paul’s Church community hall, Castle Community Trust and North Belfast Mission, Shore Crescent. Views and ideas of those who took part were outlined in the report which also proposed an action plan to make the district a safer and more welcoming place for residents, their families and visitors.

The report was launched at Belfast Castle during a reception to mark the rebranding of The HUBB to Castle Community Trust. The workshops focused on building relationships between the local community and housing associations, while giving residents a voice on the area's housing need.

Jim Crothers, from the community trust, said: “We are a social regeneration charity that works to bring real benefits to local people. Our workshops focused on the theme Communities in Transition and helped to build relationships between residents, tenants, the Housing Executive and housing associations.

“We had fact-finding discussions with people from different communities and those who have various political interests from Tiger’s Bay, mid-Skegoniel, York Road, Shore Road and Shore Road estates. Topics such as the housing needs of the area were explored.

"Residents shared their thoughts on the Housing Executive’s points system, their experience of having repairs done and of application processes. We also asked if they were aware of the housing solutions team and how to contact them and their experience of application processes and the need for more social housing."

Jim added that the information was packaged and put in a report because people want to be part of and have a say in the future housing system. He added: "We are grateful to the Housing Executive for funding this extremely valuable work which will help create a common vision and sense of belonging to enhance the quality of life of those who live here."

Jennifer Hawthorne, the Housing Executive’s Director of Housing, said: “This project highlights all the hard work that is being done to positively transform our estates and tenants’ experiences of working in partnership with us.

“People in North Belfast can feel isolated from the wider regeneration process across other parts of the city, so these workshops were an excellent opportunity to give them a forum to discuss their ideas and issues, and to encourage them to feel involved in leading their communities in transition.”

Jennifer explained that the project had been funded through the Housing Executive’s community cohesion fund, which is used to develop strong, positive relationships between people from different backgrounds and provide them with fresh opportunities.

She added: "Building better relations within and between the various communities and organisations will improve communications and confidence in local tenants to discourage hate crimes and anti-social behaviour. We intend that this project will be a catalyst for many others with whole communities coming together to make them safe and welcoming places for tenants and their visitors.

"The work that Castle Community Trust does is invaluable in helping people create a better environment and future for themselves and we are delighted to work with them."

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