Opening of new housing project

A new housing development project is due to be opened in Antrim on Monday.

The scheme, which is situated at Thistlewood Crescent in the town, will provide 13 new dwellings designed for tenants with mobility problems and their families or carers.

The project has been designed by Habinteg Housing Association and will be officially opened by the Mayor of Antrim, Paddy Marks.

Director of Habinteg Housing Association David Duly said that the millennium year was proving very fruitful for Habinteg.

He said: We have just completed our 1,000th dwelling, a milestone in the association's history.

"And the event is being marked with the planting of cherry trees at each of our integrated housing schemes throughout Northern Ireland."

The association says it aims to promote the well-being of those in housing need in the community by the creation of housing schemes catering for people with and without disabilities.

'Caters for a range of tenants'

Mr Duly said: "For many people with disabilities and their families housed in inappropriate accommodation, seemingly straightforward tasks such as climbing stairs or manoeuvring a wheelchair can become a struggle.

"Habinteg's housing schemes combine a range of dwelling types and sizes to cater for a wide range of tenants and their carers."

Habinteg's first scheme was completed in Bangor, County Down in 1982.

There are now 26 housing schemes throughout Northern Ireland as well as nearly 200 bed spaces in housing with care schemes, hostels or shared housing.

Applicants are allocated dwellings from the common waiting list which is operated by the Housing Executive or referred by social or health services.