€114m low-cost housing scheme launched in the North

A £77m (€114m) plan to regenerate low-cost housing in the North was launched today by the Minister for Social Development.

Margaret Ritchie said 924 new homes would be built in Lisburn over the next five years to tackle chronic shortages in the area.

Lisburn has one of the longest waiting lists for subsidised property and the money will also modernise existing residences and provide grants for upgrades.

``The strategy will focus, not only on increasing the supply of housing in Lisburn, but also on working with others to support well-being and regeneration initiatives,'' the SDLP minister said.

``It is not just about bricks and mortar but about building communities as well.''

Housing associations will deliver the building programme envisaged in the Lisburn Housing and Regeneration Strategy.

The Housing Executive will support moves to develop living space above city centre shops and will respond to plans for hundreds of social houses on the former Maze prison site.

Executive chief executive Paddy McIntyre said: ``The Housing Executive is committed to building sustainable communities; this means making sure that new housing is supported by jobs and education and health facilities. These need to be delivered in parallel.''

Part of the money will involve private investment and there will also be money for community support. The cost of land acquisition has not been factored into today's strategy.

The escalation in land value in the area has prompted developers to build more expensive homes and the unmet demand for cheap property has driven up prices and hurt first-time buyers.

Only 13% of developments are aimed at the low-cost market, according to a 2003 Lisburn Sectoral Study.

Lisburn already has new houses and there was only 3.2% of the stock empty in 2005.

Local MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: ``This regeneration housing strategy is therefore timely and welcome. This strategy will be a catalyst for other developments in the city.''

Mr Donaldson was joined by local MLA and DUP colleague Edwin Poots, culture minister in the Assembly.