Strabane Housing News 2011

Housing
NEWS
40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2011
Strabane
Housing
NEWS 2011
40 Years On
This year the Housing Executive celebrates its 40th anniversary. As we look back, Northern
Ireland today is a different place compared to those dark days in the early 70s.
When we look at housing the change is remarkable.
Our housing, from being amongst the worst in Europe,
with around one in five homes unfit, is now amongst
the best, with the rate of unfitness now at an all time
low of 2.4%. There remain, of course, major issues
to be tackled. Social housing is deeply segregated
and while much work is being undertaken by the
Housing Executive and by local communities, it will
take time, patience and a great deal of goodwill and
understanding.
As with the last 40 years, we will continue to move
forward. There will be problems to address, we will
encounter criticism, we will be faced with unpopular
courses of action, but ultimately we will be judged on
our record and achievements. Improving the quality
of housing and the environment we live in is a job
which will never be complete. The challenges we face,
particularly within the current economic environment,
are many, but we are working to find solutions to
address these.
The pressures we face make change inevitable but
change is nothing new to us. We have an enviable
reputation for providing high quality public services
and that will be maintained. Due to our restrained
budget we cannot deliver the improvements to
our stock as quickly as we would like to, but we will
continue to make the case for investment .
Finally, we would like to thank all those people in the
community who work with us, giving up their free time
to create better neighbourhoods.Without their support
and hard work, much of what is achieved would be
impossible.
We don’t pretend to have all the answers but we
give you a commitment that everything will be done
to deliver our core values of fairness and equality to
everyone.
If we could single out one of our major concerns, it
would be that of fuel poverty. If there is a repeat of last
year’s harsh winter, the Housing Executive would have
real concerns for the welfare of many of our tenants,
particularly in light of the recent increase in fuel and
energy costs.
Last winter demonstrated that many elderly and
vulnerable people could not heat their homes properly.
This resulted in substantial damage to homes and
many households being left without heating in both
the private and public sectors. Through new legislation
we are trying to bulk buy electricity and therefore help
tenants by reduced electricity bills. This is a start but
other measures will be needed.
Strabane District Office
40-46 Railway Road, Strabane,
Co.Tyrone BT82 8EH
Main Number:
Repairs:
Housing Benefit:
Email:
03448 920 900
03448 920 901
03448 920 902
[email protected]
The District office is open to the public during the
following times:­
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday:
9.30am - 4.00pm
Thursday: 9.30am - 1.00pm
The office will be closed on all statutory public and
bank holidays.
2
Brian Rowntree
Chairman
John McPeake
Chief Executive
Customer Service Award
Have you received good service from a particular
Housing Executive Office or an individual member
of staff? If they have gone that extra mile to help,
would you like to nominate them for a customer
service award. If so:
• Write to the office that the staff member works
in, or
• Email us at [email protected], or
• Using our Facebook page www.facebook.com/
thehousingexecutive
When contacting us please include your reasons
for your nomination.
Strabane
Local Office Perspective
I would like to welcome you to this year’s Housing News
and hope that once again you will find this magazine
interesting and informative.
We have had a busy year in the District. As the economy
has continued to worsen, this has put pressure on
our waiting lists with more people returning from the
private rented sector into Housing Executive properties
and fewer people moving out. This has led to lower
turnover of stock than we normally experience, which
has slightly increased the waiting list and applicants
having to wait longer for a home.
Wintry scene from the District Office
We have just experienced one of the worst winters
many of us can remember and the freezing conditions
and sub zero temperatures led to many burst pipes
and subsequent damage in a huge number of homes
across the District. We have included some guidance in
Housing News in preparation for this winter and I would
ask you to take the time to read it. If you need to talk to
us about any of it please do so now before the winter
begins.
to record my thanks to them for the assistance they
provide to us in ensuring that we deliver the best
possible service to our customers. They have made
great progress in attracting funding and facilities to
their estates and have been very proactive in working
with us for the benefit of all our residents.
We met regularly with members of our Housing
Community Network during the year and I would like
Seamus Kelly
District Manager
Finally, I would like to note my thanks to all the staff
in our office who continue to provide a professional
service at difficult times and in all weathers.
Junior Warden Scheme
The Housing Executive continues to develop its
links with local schools through its Junior Warden
programme.
The Junior Warden Scheme is facilitated by the
Housing Executive, in conjunction with Strabane
Community Safety Partnership and is primarily aimed
at encouraging young people to take pride in their local
community, and to foster an interest in environmental
issues from an early age.
This year primary seven pupils from St Anne’s and
Barrack Street Primary Schools in Strabane showed off
their green fingers and community spirit after getting
involved in the scheme.
Winners of the poster competition from St Anne’s Primary School
The programme was delivered over a three week period
by the Housing Executive in partnership with Strabane
District Council and included a presentation to pupils
on what they can do to tackle issues such as anti­
social behaviour and how they can contribute to their
community through environmental projects such as
litter lifting.
Alongside staff from the Housing Executive and
Strabane Community Safety Partnership, pupils from
both schools participated in a joint litter lifting exercise
in an area around their respective schools.
As part of the project a poster competition for each
primary seven class was held and the winning entry
from each class received a cash prize which was
sponsored by two of our contractors, Robinson and
Ferry and H&A Mechanical Services Limited.
Commenting on the scheme Noel McNulty, Housing
Executive Assistant District Manager said:
“The programme was hugely successful when it was
introduced to other primary schools in the Strabane
and Castlederg areas. The project involves pupils
in a range of issues such as noise nuisance, illegal
dumping, bonfire safety, litter, dog fouling and
internet safety. We hope to continue this programme
next year and any schools wishing to take part should
contact the local office in Strabane.”
3
Housing
NEWS 2011
External Makeover for 145 homes
One hundred and forty five Housing Executive homes in the Sion
Mills, Ardstraw and Castlederg areas had an external makeover at
a cost of just over £500,000.
The work which started in the spring was carried out as part
of the Housing Executive’s programme to upgrade its houses
on a regular basis so that they continue to meet modern day
standards.
As part of the scheme original window frames, which had
reached the end of their useful life, were replaced with double
Seein Park, Sion MIlls
glazed uPVC units - others were serviced and repaired. The
Housing Executive also took the opportunity to replace any
defective external doors and carry out repairs to roofs, chimneys, fencing and paths where necessary.
The planned maintenance service remains one of the Housing Executive’s core functions as a landlord as Seamus
Kelly, the Housing Executive’s Strabane District Manager, explained:
“We are very glad to see this work being carried out in estates such as Glebe Park Sion Mills and Millbrook
Gardens Castlederg. This further demonstrates our commitment to providing tenants in the more rural areas
with high quality homes and, given the nature of the scheme, it will also have a very positive impact on the
entire District.”
New Community Garden for Magheramason
Magheramason Community Association is a relatively
new group established just over a year ago.
Following an invite to join our Housing Community
Network the group became actively involved with
the Housing Executive and was the first group to
take part in a pilot ‘Inspection Toolkit’. This involved a
comprehensive survey being carried out in the general
Magheramason area by the Housing Executive, local
community representatives and relevant statutory
bodies, such as Roads Service and Strabane District
Council.
Arising from the survey an
area of land was identified
at the centre of Blackstone
Park as a possible
location for the creation
of a community garden.
Previously this part of the
estate was unused and
was an area where rubbish
would accumulate, and
because of its position
within the estate it was
agreed that the area could
be put to better use.
The Housing Executive’s
Grounds Maintenance
Manager, Sammy
Mc Arthur, who, in
consultation with the local
4
community group, agreed an outline plan for a garden.
The development of the garden was undertaken by
Colin Irvine of The Landscape Centre.
Despite the inclement weather the garden was
completed within the target timescale of three months
and has proved to be very popular with locals, young
and old alike.
As Mark Mc Corkell, chairman of Magheramason
Community Association says; “Everybody has admired
the garden and it has
brought a bit of positivity
around the community. It
just goes to show you can
get things done if you ask.”
The garden includes
raised flower beds, paved
walkways, additional trees,
garden seats and the area is
finished off with decorative
railing and gates.
Left to right Mark McCorkell and Sue McElwee from Magheramason
Community Association, Sammy McArthur Housing Executive
Grounds Maintenance Manager, Oonagh Harkin Housing Executive
Neighbourhood Officer, Colin Irvine the Landscape Centre
Local resident Mrs Dorothy
Harkness commented; “I
think it’s very good if left
alone. Everybody in my
cul-de-sac thinks it is lovely.
We are happy with it and it
does help the estate.”
Strabane
Spamount and District Cross Community Association
Spamount and District Cross Community Association is
actively involved in our Housing Community Network.
The aim of the Association is to provide social and
educational development, and also to tackle issues
faced by the community which they do through their
links with Strabane District Council, Strabane and
District Community Network and the Northern Ireland
Housing Executive.
The Association has community premises and runs a
number of events such as dances, social nights, weekly
hip-hop classes, birthday parties, funeral teas. The
Association has also recently run a number of social
programmes for the residents of Spamount including
arts and crafts for children, salsa dancing, old thyme
dancing and drama.
They have two soccer pitches and a gaelic pitch on a
long term lease from Strabane District Council which
are used on an ongoing basis by the community for
casual play, and also by local soccer teams for weekly
matches and training.
The group recently received additional funding from
the ‘Awards For All Fund’ to purchase equipment for
a drop-in centre which is being opened in the local
community premises and Spamount and District CCA
hopes to see all the youth of the area use and enjoy
these facilities.
The drop-in centre will operate on a Friday from 7.00­
8.30pm for primary school children and from 8.30­
10.00pm for post primary school children The funds
secured by the group will be used to purchase two
televisions, a Wii console and games, a playstation
console and games, a desktop computer, comfortable
Left to right- Austin Reid Vice Chairman, Mary McMenamin, Committee
member, Lynne Gallen Chairperson, Gaye Lyons Secretary, Ann Doherty
Director and Assistant Secretary
seating, board games, an i-Pod docking station and lots
more.
Ann Doherty, Director of Spamount and District
CCA, is extremely hopeful about the new Centre and
said: “this facility will bring children from different
backgrounds together. We have never had a facility
like this in Spamount before. This will also include trips
and different outings and we are hoping to get local
parents involved as volunteers. I would like to thank the
Housing Executive for their help in providing paint and
equipment to help refurbish the Centre.
“Spamount and District CCA’s aim is to fully utilize the
games room and large main hall to have structured
and free play as required. The group also intends to
organize external activities such as nights to the cinema
and bowling.”
New Neighbourhood Officer Service
The Housing Executive’s new Neighbourhood Officer
Service for Strabane was launched in March this year.
The Neighbourhood Officer Service came out of a
review of the existing warden service. Commenting on
the new service Seamus Kelly, District Manager, said:
“We are pleased to launch this new service which will
benefit many of our tenants right across the District.
We have listened to our residents about the kind of
estate based service they want and we have moulded
our existing warden service into this new approach with
Neighbourhood Officers working directly with local
communities on issues which affect their daily lives.
“We have two Neighbourhood Officers in Strabane,
Oonagh Harkin and Ciaran McNulty. Their job is to
address those quality of life issues that include dealing
with illegal dumping, graffiti, anti-social behaviour and
environmental improvements.
“One very important aspect of a Neighbourhood
Officer’s activity is to work with communities and
individuals on our estates especially those households
where there are
those who feel
marginalised or
vulnerable.
Welcoming the new
Neighbourhood
Officers Jacqueline
Gallagher, from
Strabane Housing
Community Network,
said:
“I am pleased, as
part of the Housing
Community Network,
to be associated
Oonagh Harkin and Ciaran McNulty,
with the launch of the Neighbourhood Officers
Neighbourhood Officer
Service. Neighbourhood Officers are a valuable asset
to the community, they work closely with communities
which has resulted in visible improvements to the areas
that they are involved in.”
5
Housing
NEWS 2011
Fountain Street Facelift
The Fountain Street area has benefitted from a recent
mini facelift which involved both external works around
the site and redecoration works to the Community
Centre.
In some areas around the site we have replaced some of
the brick pavers with grass and have provided planters.
This is an ongoing project and shortly we intend to
provide additional flower beds in these green areas as
well as planting against walls which are blighted by
graffiti. We would welcome any views or suggestions
from local residents.
We also provided plants and compost to the local
community centre to help with the community garden
and paint was provided to the local community
group to paint the community centre. The actual
work was carried out by the Probation Board through
its Community Service Scheme whereby offenders
undertook the actual work.
This partnership-working involving the Housing
Executive, the Probation Board, local committee
members and volunteers has proved very successful.
Redecoration work underway in the Fountain Street Community Centre
Strengthening Families Programme (SFP)
The Housing Executive has recently become involved
with the Strengthening Families Programme (SFP)
which is a programme being introduced to the Western
Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) area of Northern
Ireland through the Derry Healthy Cities Project.
This programme is a family skills programme with
an international evidence base. A recognised early
intervention programme, it emphasises the critical role
of families in prevention and reducing risk to children.
It has been proven to deliver multiple benefits to
vulnerable families including better health outcomes.
SFP builds on protective factors by improving family
relationships, parental bonds, parenting skills and
improving young people’s social and life skills. It also
reduces the risk factors for behavioural, emotional,
academic and social problems and focuses on
developing self esteem.
This is the first time the programme has been
developed in N. Ireland and Strabane is the first District
to run the programme. As well as involvement in the
6
programme itself the Housing Executive will be acting
as a referral agent for families who would benefit from
this programme.
The programme is for all families and can be most
helpful for families experiencing a range of difficulties
including behavioural, emotional, academic and social
problems.
It is a 14-session, evidence-based parenting skills,
children’s life skills, and family life skills training
programme specifically designed for high-risk families.
Parents and children participate in SFP, both separately
in the teen and parent sessions and together in the
family sessions.
Positive outcomes of the programme include increased
family strengths and resilience and reduced risk factors
for problem behaviours in high risk children, including
behavioural problems, emotional, academic and
social problems. SFP also helps by improving family
relationships, parenting skills, and improving the
youth’s social and life skills.
This page provides information on some of the Housing Executive’s key
activities over the past year in Strabane and across Northern Ireland.
More extensive and detailed information is available on our website or
by writing to the District Manager.
HOUSING STOCK
COMPLAINTS
Across Northern Ireland the Housing Executive
manages 90,188 homes and 2,208 of these are
in the Strabane district.
Last year, in Northern Ireland 366 first stage cases were
investigated by Area Managers and 99 second or final
stage cases were investigated by the Chief Executive.
39 new cases were taken by complainants to the
Ombudsman, where 5 were upheld.
ALLOCATING HOMES
During the past year we allocated 5,364 homes
in Northern Ireland and of this total, 199 were
in Strabane.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
HOUSE SALES
Last year the Housing Executive received 4,667
reports of anti social behaviour and 121 of these
cases were in Strabane. Over 30% of these related
to problems with noise. In resolving such cases, the
Housing Executive employs a number of remedies
ranging from early interventions such as use of
warning letters and mediation. In serious cases
we may use our statutory powers to seek injunctions
or carry out eviction.
Last year a total of 274 tenants bought their homes
from the Housing Executive. See back page for
information on buying your home.
HOUSING BENEFIT FRAUD
HOMELESSNESS
Last year following investigation, 10,433 applicants
were accepted as being statutorily homeless in
Northern Ireland, 84 of them were from Strabane.
WAITING LIST
In Northern Ireland there are 39,891 applicants
on the waiting list for a home. In Strabane there are
638 applicants.
During the past year the Housing Executive
paid out a total of £573.3m in Housing Benefit
in Northern Ireland. Tackling benefit fraud
is high on our agenda and last year we
referred 276 cases to the Benefit
Investigation Service.
RENT ARREARS
At the end of last year the total amount owed in
arrears by all our current tenants in Northern Ireland
was £12.6m which is a fall from the previous year.
REPAIRS
Repairs are the most common reason for tenants to
contact us. Last year we completed 410,018 repairs in
Northern Ireland of which 10,908 were in Strabane.
We put repair requests into three groups according
to urgency:
• Emergency repairs, such as a burst water pipe,
should be completed within one day.
• Urgent repairs, such as loose or missing roof
tiles, should be completed within four working
days.
• Routine repairs, such as leaking gutters,
should be completed within four weeks.
7
The 1970s …
The 1980s …
The 1990s …
The 2000s …
To celebrate the 40th A
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of
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Housing News looks thr
ough
the ph
o
Take a look at how thin
gs ha
ve ch
a
tograph
g Executive
ic archives …
nged o
ver the
past 40 years!
Housing
NEWS 2011
BOGUS CALLERS !!
IN
R ConHeA
se it
u
,
DOuO
have
if yo
IDENTIT
a forgotten ca Y CARD
rd is no excuse
call them
POouLIaCreEsuspicious
if y
r
Reports of bogus callers tricking their way into
people’s homes are a regular occurrence.
Often the problem arises because people are very
trusting and are willing to accept strangers into
their homes. It is very important to be wary.
?
pty by the tenant
em
ft
le
es
ti
er
op
any pr
Are you aware of
Or where the tena
nt has moved out
and rented a dwel
other people wit
ling to
hout the Housing
Executive’s perm
ission?
ow
or someone you kn
u
yo
ng
pi
op
st
be
This could
me.
from getting a ho
It could also be ev
idence that bene
fit fraud
is being committe
d.
ening.
to stop this happ
st
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te
in
’s
ne
yo
It is in ever
If you know of any address where this has taken place
please contact any Housing Executive office or telephone.
Always ask for identification
Find out what benefits, pensions or
credits you may be entitled to with the
new Benefits Adviser Service.
Go online and get an estimate anytime, with
complete anonymity, in the comfort of your own
home.
www.nidirect.gov.uk/benefits-adviser
The Benefits Adviser Service caters for people of all ages - including those
with disabilities and those with caring responsibilities - allowing them to
calculate the benefits, pensions or credits to which they may be entitled
with complete anonymity.
You may not realise that you could get extra, even if you are working or
have savings.
The service is free of charge to any individual citizen and/or voluntary
group with internet access. Feedback will be captured to measure the use
of the service and to influence potential future improvements.
Are you moving into employment and need more information on what
additional help and credits may be available? The ‘What If?’ calculator
will be able to advise you on how a change of circumstance will affect
your benefit entitlement and allow you to compare ‘before’ and ‘after’
scenarios.
The Benefits Adviser Service also caters for those without internet access.
Advice and support groups, as well as friends and relatives of those
seeking benefits will now be able to utilise the online service on the
person’s behalf with complete anonymity.
Be sure not to lose out, log on to
the Benefits Adviser Service
now! You might be losing
out on money you
are entitled to!
10
FRAUD HOTLINE 0800 854 440
Strabane
Have you insured your house contents?
A house fire, a burst pipe, a burglary,
flooding……..Some of the reasons why you
need to have your possessions insured.
Last winter there were thousands of burst pipes when
temperatures dropped, and unfortunately this led to
many homes having water damage. The vast majority of
our tenants had no insurance cover and subsequently
had to try to replace all the damaged goods themselves.
If you had no house contents insurance and had to
replace all the contents of your home at your own
expense, could you afford to do it? Most of us could not.
Yet for around £1.60 each week, you can be protected.
The Housing Executive maintains your property, but is
NOT responsible for the contents of your home.
Further information on obtaining home insurance is available from your local district office or just call into a local
insurance broker. Make sure you get several quotes before making a decision. Many will arrange for you to pay weekly or
monthly.
Get your house contents insured without delay.
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G
N
I
K
R
WO
M
R
A
L
KE A
O
M
Do…
S
R
IS YOU
always keep yo
Many lives have been
saved because of the
use of smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms can either
be battery-operated or
“hard-wired” through the
mains electricity supply.
The following advice
on smoke alarms is very
important regarding
safety in your home:
TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARM
EVERY WEEK
ur
smoke alarm tu
urned
on at your mete
er
box
Do…
buy a battery alarm
if you haven’t been
provided with a hard
wired alarm, they
only cost a couple of
pounds
oke
Do…
m
s
r
u
yo
test
eekly d idea
w
m
r
ala
a goo free
o
s
l
a
s
grill
(it i
e
h
t
p
it
to kee ust so that
d
from
erly)
p
o
r
p
s
work
Remember that smoke kills more often than the fire itself,
but a smoke alarm can save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
If you have elderly relatives test their smoke alarms for them as often as you can.
11
Housing
NEWS 2011
Keeping a Pet
Pets can be a source of companionship particularly for older people who live alone.
Many people see their pets as an extension of their family and treat them as such.
For children pet ownership can encourage responsibility. For older people pets can
reduce the feelings of loneliness.
However pets require considerable attention and owners need to be aware of their
responsibilities towards other tenants who may not share their love of animals. The
Housing Executive encourages responsible pet ownership and before acquiring one,
tenants should be aware of the conditions set down in their Tenancy Agreement which everyone signs at the
commencement of their tenancy and which is legally enforceable.
If your home is a flat or maisonette the tenancy conditions require tenants not to keep one or more domestic
pets without the consent in writing of their District Manager.
These tenancy conditions are there, not to restrict tenants’ enjoyment of pets, but to ensure that all tenants
can have the quiet enjoyment of their homes. Unfortunately, where responsible pet ownership is not evident
the Housing Executive will have no option but to take appropriate action.
If you would like to discuss any matter relating to pet ownership please contact your local district office.
Tidy Garden
Keeping Your Garden Tidy
A clean and tidy garden can make your home look better
and be an added space for you to enjoy. Well maintained
gardens can also improve the appearance of your
neighbourhood and discourage graffiti and vandalism.
Untidy and overgrown gardens will have the opposite
effect. You don’t have to be an Alan Titmarsh, just keep your
grass cut and free of litter and you will be surprised at the
difference.
Untidy Garden
It is worth remembering that a condition of every tenancy
agreement, is that all tenants, irrespective of their circumstances,
maintain their dwelling, including the garden, in a clean and tidy
condition. Poorly maintained gardens can blight neighbouring
properties and can easily become a health hazard. That is why the
Housing Executive will take effective action if necessary.
Some district offices run a ‘Best Kept Garden Competitions’ to
encourage and reward households for looking after their gardens
and add to the attractiveness of their neighbourhoods. Furthermore
community groups can enter the ‘Supervalu Best Kept Housing Area
Awards’ which is organised by the NI Amenity Council. The Housing
Executive encourages all tenants and community associations to
enter these competitions to make your neighbourhood one of the
best in the province.
If you would like more information on how to enter these
competitions please contact your local district office.
12
Older People’s
Advocate
The aim of this office is to provide a
focus for individual older people and
representative groups to highlight
issues that are of concern.
Dame Joan Harbison
Equality House,
6th Floor,
7-9 Shaftesbury Square,
Belfast BT2 7DP.
Tel:
02890 890 892
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.olderpeoplesadvocateni.org
Strabane
Beating Anti-Social Behaviour
Everyone is entitled to peace and quiet in their home and
surroundings. If left unchecked, anti-social behaviour can wreck
communities.
Help us to help you. Report all incidents of anti-social behaviour and
we will respond promptly and effectively. The Housing Executive
will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in any form but it can only be
tackled by everyone pulling together. We need your support.
How can I report anti-social
behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour can range
from neighbour nuisance and
noise to harassment, racism
and intimidation. If you have
experienced or witnessed such
a problem, you should report it
immediately to your local Housing
Executive office. A complaint can
be made by telephone, in writing
or in person. If you are nervous
about making the report, you can
arrange for a public representative,
a police officer, a social worker,
neighbour or friend to make the
report. We will ensure that your
identity remains anonymous. You
can also bring someone along
for support to a location of your
choosing.
Investigating the report
We will agree a plan of action with
you which will set out how we will
take action to resolve the problem.
We will interview everyone
necessary and if appropriate,
get a police report. We will then,
with your input, agree the most
appropriate approach to your
specific problem.
What is the most appropriate
Form of action?
The Housing Executive received
4,667 reports of anti-social
behaviour last year, with some
87% of these regarded as being
minor problems. Noisy neighbours
continues to be the biggest
problem with 1,405 complaints.
The majority of cases can be
resolved using one or more of the
following remedies:­
• Issue a warning letter
• Mediation
• Joint approach with other
agencies
• Agree an Acceptable Behaviour
Contract
• Secure an Injunction
• Legal action to secure an
eviction
Don’t suffer in silence
If you are a Housing Executive
tenant and you have a specific
complaint about someone causing
a nuisance, please contact us now.
Follow the Housing Executive on
Crimestoppers
- Make your
community safer
Crimestoppers began in 1976 and
now operates worldwide.
The scheme gives people a means
to pass information about crimes
to the police without becoming
involved.
Many criminals would not have
come to the notice of police, had it
not been for the Crimestoppers call.
Some people are uncomfortable
about talking openly to the
police for fear of retribution.
Crimestoppers gives everyone
the opportunity to do something
positive about crime in their area,
without the fear of consequences.
Crimestoppers is a registered
charity. It is not a department of the
police or a government
agency.
Help us Stop Theft
There is a growing problem with
the theft of metal such as copper
and lead and we work closely with
the PSNI to address this problem.
We have had lead stolen from roofs
of bungalows, burners taken from
outside stores as well as copper
tanks removed.
We would ask all our tenants to
watch out for suspicious behaviour,
especially where a home may be
empty, and report it immediately to
the Housing Executive, PSNI or to
the Crimestoppers Phone Line.
We have asked community groups
to be vigilant, but everyone can
help. This type of activity uses up
scarce financial resources which
could be used to improve homes.
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Housing
NEWS 2011
Northern Ireland Water (NIW) asks families to
help prevent sewerage problems
The majority of blockages
are caused by inappropriate
materials being flushed into the
sewerage system. Sewers were
never designed to deal with
anything other than toilet paper.
Other materials can stick to the
inner wall of the sewer or snag on
joints until a blockage is caused
and the sewer floods.
Fats, oils and grease are also
major problems and should be
disposed of into an old container
and then into the bin. If poured
down the drains the fat solidifies
and leads to major problems.
The sewers serve many properties and by avoiding flushing these items you will minimise the possibility of a blockage or flooding, not only at your home, but also at your neighbours. Examples of items that should
not be flushed are: sanitary
towels, cotton-buds, baby
wipes and make-up wipes.
Even disposable nappies and
underwear are often flushed and
quickly cause blockages. NIW and
the Housing Executive ask you to
“Bag it and Bin it” when dealing
with waste such as this.
Minor
adaptations
Putting Good Relations at the
Heart of Housing
The Housing Executive has become the first public sector agency
in Northern Ireland to integrate ‘Good Relations’ into its policies
and procedures through a unique new partnership with the Rural
Development Council and Tides Training. The Housing Executive’s new
Chief Executive John McPeake outlines ‘BRIC’ (Building Relations in
Communities) and what it entails.
Why did the Housing Executive
feel the need to undertake such a
programme?
“The Housing Executive has a
statutory duty to ‘promote good
relations between persons of
different religious belief, political
opinion or racial group and the
promotion of good relations is
a key objective. The Community
Cohesion Unit co-ordinates delivery
of this via our Good Relations
Strategy. The reality is that housing
continues to be deeply divided, with
90% of Housing Executive estates
predominantly single identity.
Despite this, the overwhelming
majority say they would like to live in
mixed communities.”
How does the Housing Executive
currently contribute to enhanced
community cohesion?
“Our Good Relations Strategy
aims to contribute to safer, more
stable neighbourhoods and to
promote a more inclusive society
but recognises that trust and safety
will dictate the pace of change.
It has been encouraging to see
the enthusiasm for good relations
programmes. We will support
communities who wish to make their
communities safe and welcoming
by;
• Facilitating and encouraging
shared housing schemes
• Contributing to good race
relations
• Supporting local communities to
focus on acceptable expressions
of cultural identity
• Bringing communities together
to improve interface areas
through environmental initiatives
and regeneration programmes
• Creating the environment to
allow timely and appropriate
interventions for areas at risk of
conflict.”
How will the new BRIC programme
impact on local communities?
“I believe that this project will put
good relations at the heart of our
policies and service delivery. Good
Relations and conflict management
training is being delivered to over
700 housing staff and ‘BRIC’ will
be rolled out across 80 estates to
support communities in developing
good community relations. I believe
this project will provide a lasting
legacy.”
As a Housing Executive tenant you can apply to have a number of minor adaptations
carried out in your home which do not require referral to an occupational therapist.
These minor adaptations can make a big difference. Some examples are;
• External work, such as handrails, outdoor lighting and paved areas for wheelchairs.
• Internal work, such as a handrail to stairs and additional electric sockets.
• Kitchen and bathroom work, such as lowering of cupboards, controls and switches.
How do you go about this?
Contact your local district office.
Ask to speak to the minor adaptations link person and explain what type of adaptation
you require. If you are eligible your request will be assessed.
Assessment by a maintenance officer.
A maintenance officer may visit your home to see if the work can be done before
delegating the work to a contractor.
14
Strabane
Prepare for Winter
Help prevent your pipes
from freezing
•
•
•
•
Set the central heating to come
on for short periods throughout
the day.
If you feel you are able to, lift the
trap door slightly from the roof
space to allow warm air to get
into the loft.
Open the doors to the sink unit
to allow warmer air to circulate
round the pipes.
If you are away, ask someone to
turn the heating on for a short
time and check for frozen pipes.
Dealing with frozen
pipes
•
•
•
•
Turn the water supply off at the
stopcock.
Protect everything around the
pipe that appears to be frozen to
avoid damage if it bursts.
Open the tap nearest to the part
of the pipe you think is frozen so
the water can flow through when
it has thawed.
Thaw the ice in the pipe with
a hot water bottle or hairdryer
•
(taking care to keep it well away
from any water), beginning from
the tap end and working back
towards the cold water tank.
Never use a heat gun or blow
torch.
Find your stopcock
The stopcock is used for turning
off and on the cold water system
in your home. When you turn the
stopcock in a clockwise direction
the water supply will be shut off.
Stopcocks are usually found in your
kitchen, below the sink unit.
However in some houses the
stopcock is found in a front or back
hall or in a larder unit. It is important
that you know where the stopcock
is and that it is working.
What should I do if I
have no water?
If your water supply fails, the
problem may be a burst pipe in your
home or there may be a leak in the
mains system outside your home.
If there is cold water at the cold
tap in the kitchen then the mains
supply is working.
If you think it is a mains supply
problem, call NI Water on
08457 440 088 or
email: [email protected]
If you have a burst pipe
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Turn off the water by turning the
stopcock clockwise.
Turn on all the cold taps.
Block the escaping water with
thick cloths like towels.
If the water has come into
contact with electrical fittings
the electricity should be turned
off at the mains.
Turn off your gas or oil heating
systems.
If you have a solid fuel
roomheater or an open fire, let it
go out.
Ring us ……03448 920 901
for further advice or
report your repair online at
www.nihe.gov.uk
or email our out of hours
emergency services
[email protected]
Help your neighbour
The cold weather can be a difficult
time for people who are vulnerable.
If you know someone who is elderly,
has a disability, or is housebound,
check on them and make sure they
are okay. During extreme weather
conditions many older people will
not be able to get out and a visit
may be appreciated.
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Housing
NEWS 2011
Useful Telephone Numbers
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Main Number ....................................... 03448 920 900
Repairs .................................................. 03448 920 901
Housing Benefit ................................... 03448 920 902
Social Security Agency ................................. 028 7138 1000
Department of the Environment
DOE Water Service ......................................... 028 7138 2218
Riverside Health Centre ............................... 028 7138 4118
Mourneside Health Centre.......................... 028 7138 3737
Divert Alcohol and Drug Education Project ........................................... 028 7126 9327
Citzens Advice Bureau .................................. 028 7138 2665
Women’s Aid..................................................... 028 7138 3240
Strabane District Council ............................ 028 7138 2204
Samaritans ........................................................ 028 7126 5511
You Can Still Buy Your Home
For Housing Executive tenants with more than 5 years tenancy, now may be the time to buy your home.
Housing Executive property values have decreased on average by 47% over the past three years to just below
£60,000. Maximum discount remains at £24,000. There are various companies who will offer to manage this
process for you. They are totally unnecessary and will only add significantly to your costs. Contact your District
Office for advice and further details.
Abandoned Homes
If you know of a Housing Executive property which has been abandoned or is not being lived in, report it to your
District Office immediately. You do not have to give your name.
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