MP slams Executive over delays to housing improvement scheme

The DUP representatives met with Housing Minister Nelson McCausland and senior Housing Executive personnel last week to voice concerns about delays to a window replacement scheme in the Clareville, Thornhill and Grahamstown areas of the Grange estate.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr McCrea said: “Mr Girvan and myself outlined the anger and frustration felt by local tenants. They feel that the Housing Executive has failed them by placing their homes in the Stock Transfer Programme (STP), thereby only carrying out health and safety works in the interim. The delay in actioning the STP and fulfilling the window replacement scheme as promised has led to deep frustration.

“The present situation is totally unacceptable and we, therefore, requested that the Housing Executive takes these homes out of the Stock Transfer Programme and starts the essential work that had been originally programmed. We demand action and await a detailed response from the Housing Executive and the Minister.”

Responding to the MP’s comments, a spokesperson for the Housing Executive said: “These properties in the Grange estate in Ballyclare require major improvement work and are included in the Stock Transfer Programme announced by the Minister for Social Development. This programme may see the transfer of the properties to a housing association which will then carry out the necessary improvements.

“In these circumstances the Housing Executive can only carry out work which is considered required on health and safety grounds. The Housing Executive will keep tenants informed on progress with the transfer programme.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said that a survey is currently being undertaken in the Ollardale estate to assess the condition of window frames at a number of properties.