Posts tagged ‘Housing’
Housing: Markets best for long-term finance
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011Housing associations need to think outside the box and seek out non-banking sources of income, Nigel Perryman tells Peter Cheney. “Don’t put all your funding eggs in the one financial basket” is Nigel Perryman’s main message to housing associations as he encourages them to consider seeking finance on the capital markets. Perryman is The Housing Finance Corporation’s relationships manager and has worked in finance for large corporations, housing associations and within the wider property sector. Speaking at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference, he noted that banks’ current...[full story]
Housing: New Social Development Committee
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011agendaNi looks at members of the new Social Development Committee Alex Maskey MLA Chair Party: Sinn Féin Constituency: South Belfast A member of the party since the late 1960s, he was elected to the Assembly in 1998 for the West Belfast constituency but was re-elected in 2003 for South Belfast. Maskey has previously served as Deputy Chair of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. A former Belfast City councillor, Maskey was the first member of Sinn Féin to serve as Belfast’s Mayor. He has also been a member of the Policing Board since 2007. Maskey previously worked...[full story]
Housing: Manifesto policy summary
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011As the new Assembly prepares to chart the way forward for housing in Northern Ireland, agendaNi summarises the main parties’ manifesto commitments. DUP Social Development Minister: Nelson McCausland MLA Assembly Private Secretary: William Humphrey MLA Assembly Spokesman: Gregory Campbell MP MLA Westminster Spokesman: William McCrea MP A DUP Minister would separate the Housing Executive’s strategic and landlord functions, and aim to make social housing more self-financing. A comprehensive ‘homes and communities strategy’ would underpin policy and a ‘housing...[full story]
Housing: Better spaces for Belfast
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011Thinking outside the box can save the city’s remaining terraces and regenerate its wasted open spaces, architect Mark Hackett tells Peter Cheney. Belfast’s original streets are disappearing and will soon be gone for good unless urgent action is taken, according to Mark Hackett. “I think we have very little time to save what is unique about Belfast’s spaces,” the architect states. Most of the old Victorian terraces and mill buildings have been knocked down, taking with them much of the city’s character. Some of the best remaining examples can be found in the Village and the...[full story]
Housing: Housing Executive reviewed
Friday, March 11th, 2011A group has been set up to oversee change within the Housing Executive after a report identified weaknesses. Emma Blee takes a look at its findings. While the Housing Executive has “good governance structures” in place, a range of improvements could be made. Alex Attwood ordered the review in October after it emerged that systems within the Housing Executive, including procurement practises, were not “sufficiently robust”. He also called for a “fundamental review” of the organisation which is due to be completed in March. The Minister announced an investigation into work...[full story]
Housing: Alex Attwood – Against the storm
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010Housing is central to how the Executive responds to Westminster’s cuts, Alex Attwood states. Northern Ireland’s needs demand special attention and protecting vulnerable householders must be a priority for local ministers. Ministerial introduction: Alex Attwood MLA The Osborne benefit, capital and revenue cuts have the potential to be ‘a perfect storm’. Just as the ERSI said about the Republic of Ireland last month – deep cuts done quickly can lock an economy into high unemployment and low growth. The consequences are clear for Northern Ireland, not least as we are in recession...[full story]
Housing: Housing Executive under scrutiny
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010A close analysis of the Housing Executive is under way as a governance audit and a wider review of its work take place. The Housing Executive has come under intense scrutiny after the launch of two separate inquiries into its conduct and future shape. Alex Attwood announced a fundamental review of the Housing Executive in an Assembly statement on 11 October. The review will report in March. This is the first major review of the organisation since its establishment in 1971. By the public sector’s standards, it is a large body, with 3,242 staff, over 90,000 tenants and a budget over...[full story]
