Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey is pictured with Apex and Braidwater representatives at the Glenmona site in West Belfast - which will see the development of more than 650 homes in the area.Minister pledges to deliver more social homes during visit to Glenmona
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has reiterated her commitment to delivering more social homes during a visit to Apex’s new social housing site at Glenmona in West Belfast.
Glenmona will see the development of 653 homes (549 social and 104 affordable) to meet demand in the area. It is one of the largest housing development projects in Northern Ireland in recent years.
Minister Hargey said:
Delivering more social housing to areas most in need is central to my programme of housing reform. The 653 homes which will be constructed here in Glenmona will add to the many currently under construction to meet the needs of our society and help reduce housing stress.
In addition to the increased new build budget of £162million I secured for this year, I have approved up to £15million in additional support available to Housing Associations who are working with the construction sector to build new homes. This is to take account of the unprecedented upsurge in material costs so there is no adverse effect on the number of new social homes delivered this year.
Sheena McCallion, Chief Executive of Apex Housing Association, commented:
It was our pleasure to welcome Minister Hargey to the Glenmona site in Belfast to see the progress being made on this significant project.
When completed, Glenmona will provide much needed social and affordable homes for families, older people and those with complex needs in West Belfast. The site will also see the development of community, retail and employment facilities, as well as green spaces and play areas for children and young people.
The scale of the plans at Glenmona and the success of the project in providing more than just social homes will hopefully lead the way for more developments like this in Northern Ireland. With the support of the Minister and her department we look forward to developing more communities like Glenmona in the years to come.
The £102m scheme has been supported by £52.4million Housing Association Grant funding from the Department for Communities and £49.4million private finance investment by Apex and will include a number of other community and workspace facilities.
As well as housing on the Glenmona site, there will also be two replacement residential care homes; a mixed use area including a local neighbourhood retail centre with shop units; a hotel, an employment zone to include a mix of six Class B1a offices, a community building, MUGA pitch and play area; internal road networks; pedestrian and cycle ways; public open space and a children’s play area.
