09_POSH Issue 11_Spring 09

Issue 11 - Spring 09

08076 NIFHA Posh Mag 10.indd 108076 NIFHA Posh Mag 10.indd 1 17/2/09 08:30:5117/2/09 08:30:51

Frankly Speaking...It arrived last Monday, a rather tetchy email signed ‘she who must be obeyed’. Signifi cantly it was not from my wife but the editor of POSH. Her pleasant verbal reminder on 20 January 09 that it was my penultimate column had not worked so here goes…

It was my intention that my contribution should be a witty, wisdom laden example of leadership in a time of trouble. But all I could think of were tired recriminations of the folly of civil servants and their ministers.

Facing facts the state of the social housing programme is dire. The much vaunted target of 1,500+ for 2008-09 will not be achieved – the outcome will be about 1,100. The outlook for 2009-10 and 2010-11 may be much lower if the NI Executive does not tear up the three year fairytale script masquerading as a budget signed off by then Finance Minister Robinson. Now the Chief Minister, his Hans Christian Anderson approach to fi nancial management belies the reputation for hard headedness he enjoys in the press.

Minister Ritchie’s heart is in the right place but if she is to be effective in her role she must prune the list of priorities she has allowed to accrete in the policies being pursued by her department. This will require the making of hard choices. The

NIHE should be encouraged to seek to converge the rents of their properties with those of RHAs in order to raise extra cash. Their programmes to upgrade kitchens and bathrooms, many still fi t for purpose, should be shelved for the duration of this fi nancial crisis and grants to private landlords, except in the direst circumstances, should be abandoned. Currently there should be only one overriding priority - the provision of new social housing for the expanding numbers for whom this provides the only route to a decent home.

Finally, is it not time that the Assembly parties bit the bullet and embarked on policies which will provide the fi nances to support the range of services that a modern state requires? If this means water rates or a local income tax let them get on with it. The fantasy of a Santa Claus fi gure in Downing Street is redundant. Realism may not ensure re-election immediately but in the longer term it will develop an informed electorate who will discriminate between self serving dreamers and intelligent, principled doers.

Frank DunneNIFHA Chairperson

Contact detailsNIFHA38 Hill StreetBelfastBT1 2LBT: 028 9023 0446F: 028 9023 8057E: [email protected]: www.nifha.org

© NIFHA 2009

Please note: the views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of NIFHA.

NIFHA cares about the environment – POSH is printed in Northern Ireland using paper with at least 50% recycled content from sustainable managed forests. When you are fi nished with it please ensure POSH is sent for recycling to help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfi ll. Thank you.

2 posh - Spring 09

3

6

8-9101212

14-15

7

11

13

ContentsThe Front Cover:Energy Aware

Nigel Dodds Interview

A word from the C Ex

The New Frontier

Stimulating Conversation

Awarding Times

Blowing Our Own Trumpet

Art Attack

The Innovation Slot

Volunteering for the Board

Frequently Asked QuestionsNIFHA’s Members

45

Please note:If you would like to register your interest in becoming a Committee or Board member for a Housing Association, contact NIFHA for an application pack on 028 9023 0446 Email: [email protected] or go online to www.nifha.org and click into NIFHA Governance.


posh - Spring 09 3

POSH’s front cover story Oaklee HA is the fi rst housing association in Northern Ireland to appoint a dedicated Energy Offi cer. The role is a signifi cant investment aimed at supporting housing’s commitment to combat climate change and fuel poverty.

Brian Rankin, pictured on the front cover with Oaklee tenant Freddy Liggins, is the new offi cer. The role will be varied, ranging from providing energy advice to tenants, producing Energy Performance Certifi cates, researching available sources of funding, looking at the role of renewables, promoting waste management and recycling, and working on potential refurbishment or development measures that will help reduce fuel poverty for tenants.

“I believe this role within Oaklee will prove to be extremely valuable and rewarding.” commented Brian. “I have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our current and future tenants, many of whom are among the most fi nancially challenged and vulnerable in society.”

Oaklee HA has striven to provide homes that work effi ciently and meet the needs of tenants and partners. One tenant commented after a solar panel for hot water was installed in Conway Court: “I think my solar hot water system is wonderful. I have a young family so costs can be quite high. The system Oaklee has provided will save me a lot of money.”

Brian will champion the use of environmentally effi cient technology and processes throughout the organisation. He will introduce energy saving measures, such as low energy lighting and increased levels of insulation leading to direct savings to carbon emissions and tenants’ energy bills.

Oaklee hopes to encourage tenants to identify energy waste and be active in reducing their energy bills. Brian stated “Many people are unaware of the major savings that can be made by making the smallest of lifestyle changes. My hope is that by informing and empowering staff and tenants, we will be better prepared to meet the growing challenges of environmental impact and fuel poverty.”

Advertising Promotion

Oaklee’s new Energy Offi cer, Brian Rankin (centre) is welcomed to the team by Tony Giffen (Operations Manager) and Ian Elliott (Chief Executive).


Nigel Dodds serves North Belfast as MLA and MP; he also has considerable Ministerial experience. From 1999 to 2000 and then 2001-02 he served as Minister for Social Development. In May 2007 he was appointed Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment but since June 2008 he has served as Minister for Finance and Personnel.

You are noted for having a strong interest in social housing. To what extent does this interest spill into your current role as Minister of Finance and Personnel?I have always held the view that investment in social housing is of major importance both for social reasons and, in the current economic climate, as a measure which can help sustain economic activity. That is why I have provided £20 million in additional funding over recent Monitoring Rounds to the Department for Social Development, and have recently supported the Social Development Minister with the fl exibility to reallocate a further £10 million into social housing. I will be continuing in the future to attach priority to the social housing programme and I believe that despite the current diffi culties posed by the fall in the property market the Executive’s Programme for Government target of 10,000 new social and affordable houses by 2013 is still very much achievable.

Although the main political parties have deep concerns about increasing what households and businesses pay for water and sewerage services, is it not now necessary for the Northern Ireland Executive to urgently use this method of fi nancing extra capital investment in public infrastructure?It is important to keep in mind that the Executive already has a signifi cant programme of investment in place with investment in public infrastructure signifi cantly higher now than under Direct Rule. With regard to water and sewage; the Executive has agreed not to impose further burdens on hard working families and businesses in the current economic conditions. As Finance Minister I have

the role of keeping the fi nancial position of all departments under review to ensure that any funding which becomes surplus to requirement is reallocated to where it can be spent in accordance with the Executive’s priorities. In this fi nancial year I have been able to fi nd over £250 million to compensate for shortfall in capital receipts, and I will continue to monitor Departments’ spending performance closely to ensure that budgets are spent effi ciently and effectively.

Last year the Northern Ireland Executive approved a ten-year Investment Strategy for NI which assumed large receipts from the sale of public assets and substantial private loans. In view of the property recession and the credit crunch does the Executive not need to adjust the Investment Strategy to make it realistic?There is no doubt that the downturn in the property market has had a major impact on capital receipts and the social housing budget has been particularly affected. This poses challenges for the Executive’s spending plans but does not defl ect it from aiming to deliver on all the commitments made in the Programme for Government and the Investment Strategy, including the priority of investing to build our infrastructure. Our priorities are even more appropriate in the current economic downturn, and it is important that we seek to maintain our level of investment in capital projects. The Executive regularly reviews its progress towards meeting its Programme for Government targets, and I will continue to support Departments whose budgets have been dependent on capital receipts in securing adequate funding to meet their published targets.

4 posh - Spring 09

An interview with… Nigel Dodds OBE, MLA MP


posh - Spring 09 5

Chris Williamson,NIFHA Chief Executive

A wordfrom the C Ex...

Opportunity Knocks!

Do you remember the TV quiz show ‘Opportunity Knocks’? Its title reminds me of facets of social housing that are generally overlooked but which I believe have great signifi cance in the present recession. They relate not only to the construction of social housing but also the management of a stream of affordable tenancies over the long-term.

In the last edition of POSH I argued that more public investment in social house-building would provide an immediate stimulus to Northern Ireland’s economy. It would create or safeguard jobs in contracting fi rms, construction-related professions and suppliers of building materials.

An extension of this point is that skills and experience in those trades and professions will be permanently lost unless the relevant fi rms envisage reasonable continuity of work. Since private investment is in the doldrums, only the public sector can fulfi l this counter-cyclical role which is so vital to our future economic prosperity.

Four years ago Gordon Brown, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, recognised that the shortage of affordable housing was holding back the UK’s economic growth. He therefore appointed a Treasury economist, Kate Barker, to research the underlying causes and make recommendations for improvement. Her report pointed out that renting options need to be among the affordable housing mix as they offer relatively quick and fl exible accommodation solutions with much lower transaction costs than owner-occupation. These attributes are attractive to many workers such as single people and families moving to new job opportunities.

It is encouraging that some local policy-makers understand the long-term economic importance

of social housing. Signifi cantly, the ten-year Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland includes social housing in its chapter on ‘infrastructure’ – alongside transport, telecommunications and so on. I believe the Minister of Finance also placed social housing in this category in certain recent announcements.

While capital investment is essential, the role of the social housing service in mitigating the effects of recession must not be overlooked. It is regrettable many people are losing their jobs and sometimes the only alternative employment pays less. The relatively low rents of the social sector are of great help to people caught in the ‘employment trap’, when the rate of withdrawal of Housing and other Social Security Benefi ts may discourage tenants from accepting low-paid employment. In this sense, the social rented sector offers better opportunities for people to become economically productive.

My concentration on the economic role of social housing must in no way obscure the other contributions it makes to individual well-being and the vitality of the community. It improves physical and mental health, increases the life chances of vulnerable people and assists neighbourhood renewal.

Opportunity is knocking because social housing enhances construction-related employment, labour mobility, economic growth, individual health, independence and community cohesion. As a society, let’s invest more to capitalise on those opportunities - now!

For further information contact NIFHA’s Chief Executive, Chris Williamson. T: 028 9023 0446 E: [email protected]


There are as many interpretations of what ‘Social Housing’ is as there are countries. Opinions on a clear defi nition can result in debates across different social and economic groups in any one jurisdiction.

However, it is widely accepted that social housing is any type of accommodation which receives funding from the government to provide housing that can be afforded by those in most need. For Northern Ireland, social housing is developed when the Northern Ireland Housing Executive assesses there is suffi cient housing need and the necessary resources are available.

While this defi nition clearly says priority should be given to those in greatest housing need, other households are also eligible. It is therefore reasonable to consider the argument that social housing is not a residual sector but, in many instances, the tenure of

choice.

A real choice Quality is probably the strongest reason why Northern Ireland’s social housing is, for many, the tenure of choice. About 60 per cent of housing association stock in Northern Ireland has been built since 1990. With continuously improving design standards and sustained investment in maintenance a good stock of affordable homes has been produced. Important quality standards including ‘Lifetime Homes’, ‘Secured by Design’ and ‘Eco-Homes’ have contributed to making social housing very attractive.

The last resortOn the other hand, high levels of unemployment, low levels of income, the onset of the credit crunch and changes in the global economy all support the idea that social housing must be reserved for the most vulnerable.

From the point of view of potential fi rst-time buyers, more stringent terms and conditions set by lenders are cancelling the benefi t of lower interest rates and property prices. The pressure on the social housing sector will intensify as it is impractical for so many people to access mortgage packages and the number of households in serious housing stress seems bound to increase.

Concluding thoughtsDedicated housing professionals are striving to provide quality services that would make social housing ‘tenure of choice’. This may only be achieved, however, when the supply of decent affordable homes is substantially increased.

6 posh - Spring 09

The New Frontier

Newington Housing Association

Oaklee Housing Association

Rural Housing Association

South Ulster Housing Association

Woodvale and Shankill Housing Association

For further information contact NIFHA’s Housing Policy and Research Manager, Donall Henderson T: 028 9023 0446 E: [email protected]


In the fi rst of the series of conversations Ian Elliott, Chief Executive Oaklee HA, and Ray Cashell, Chief Executive SHAC HA, came together to give their thoughts on this ever changing sector…

Partnership amongst associationsIan commented at the outset on the many positive things which are happening within the housing association movement as a result of changes in the environment in which we work. For him one positive aspect for the movement is that a lot of the changes have helped us work in greater partnership and probably in that way we have achieved more.

“I think the procurement agenda has, for me, helped in that process and I’m thinking of procurement in the wider sense. How we work together in planned maintenance, response maintenance, acquisition of services and acquisition of things like fuel…that theme of partnership, I think, has had a positive benefi t not only to us as associations working together but also to our client group.”

They agreed sometimes, due to the many pressures placed on associations, it would be easy to lose sight of their client group’s vulnerability. However, as Northern Ireland moves more deeply into recession and the credit crunch hits even harder they agreed associations are helping to alleviate poverty through partnership.

Creating choiceBoth agreed that less Housing Association Grant seemed inevitable. Looking at how associations are going to work within these tight budget constraints

sparked a number of ideas. Ray commented: “I think it’s been useful in the last couple of years listening to the Dutch model and getting them over to talk about what it’s like without any grant.” Creating a wider menu of choices for people to access the housing they want and need, so examining a market approach to try and match people with what they really want is an option.

Review of Public AdministrationIan’s observation on this was endorsed by Ray: “We have to accept there are going to be some changes with the role and functions of the Housing Executive and how that affects our work. We have to be prepared to be match fi t for dealing with that as an equal player.”

Joint Managing Partners (JMPs)Housing associations work with a range JMPs in schemes across Northern Ireland where associations are landlords to their residents. Ray remarked: “I see the Partnership, in terms of procurement,…really should involve all of them too.” Believing in playing to each partner’s strength was pointed out by Ian: ‘…if there were closer business links formed with JMPs such as possible inclusion in future group structures’ Both agreed that the relationship could develop so JMPs could become part of the development / procurement process.

Creating conversation and opening up debate within and for the movement in Northern Ireland is vital. In common with many sectors the housing association movement faces a future which is certainly challenging and defi nitely interesting.

posh - Spring 09 7

In conversation: Ray Cashell (SHAC HA) with Ian Elliott (Oaklee HA)

Stimulating Conversation


8 posh - Spring 09

BIH Celebrations

BIH recently received recognition for the high quality of sheltered housing it provides at 18 schemes across Northern Ireland. The Association has met the 10 stringent quality standards required by the CSHS Code of Practice.

They were assessed on the quality of services provided, tenants’ living environment and the role BIH plays in community involvement. As part of the assessment process, BIH’s tenants were surveyed and interviewed.

Louise Roberts, Supported Housing Manager at BIH said: “The Supported Housing team are absolutely delighted to have won this award. It recognises the hard work and commitment of community support offi cers and scheme co-ordinators.”

Awarding TQuality at NewingtonNewington HA is a small housing association working in North Belfast. The association has one sheltered housing scheme, Camberwell Court - a 47 unit scheme located on the Limestone Road.

The Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies (CSHS) offers a national accreditation standard which is the benchmark for quality in sheltered housing provision. Newington is one of the smallest organisations to attain this award. Given their limited resources this is a superb achievement.

A good joint working relationship between the scheme’s staff and residents helped Newington achieve this award. This excellent relationship was specifi cally remarked upon by the assessor.

Members of the Newington HA CSHS Accreditation Working Group - Martin Salmon, Richard McAree, Maura Fitzpatrick and Kathleen Hale (Resident Scheme Supervisor).

Housing Council Awards The Jack Bailie Award is given for delivering added value in housing services. At the most recent Housing Council Awards Beverley McCallen, Scheme Co-ordinator at Trinity Housing’s Elmgrove Manor, was the winner.

The award recognises the important intergenerational work Beverley carries out within the scheme and local community. Her work has helped to reduce isolation of the residents in Elmgrove Manor. The ‘feel good’ factor generated by the initiative has seen the scheme grow in popularity and an increase in the awareness of the value of sheltered housing. The Jack Bailie Award Winner; Beverly McCallen

Pictured (L-R) are Margaret Stinson (Resident of BIH’s Sloan Court); Lynn Scanlin (Scheme co-ordinator); and Louise Roberts (BIH Supported Housing Manager).


posh - Spring 09 9 TimesSMART ArdkeenJust before its offi cial opening, Ardkeen earned Habinteg the Housing Council’s Special Award for the Best Housing Association Scheme in Northern Ireland. This striking new SMART housing development in Belfast is a partnership between Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster) Ltd and the Cedar Foundation.

Ardkeen is a stylishly designed, purpose built independent living facility comprising 10 fully adapted wheelchair accessible apartments with assistive SMART technology to control functional tasks - increasing independence and enhancing quality of life for tenants.

It was jointly opened by the Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, and the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, who got to see Ardkeen and its SMART technology at fi rst hand as they toured the building and met residents.

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA, and Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey MLA with Eileen Fegan a resident of Ardkeen.

Housing Awards success for FOLDBarn Halt Cottages scooped the top prize in the category of ‘Outstanding Achievement in Social Housing in Northern Ireland’ at the UK Chartered Institute of Housing Awards.

This scheme in Carrickfergus is an innovative supported housing project which aims to maximise the independence of tenants and the choices that are available to them.

Eileen Askham, FOLD’s Director of Care Services, commented on the win: “We are thrilled that our efforts to provide modern accommodation for older people that refl ects their wishes and desires and enables them to continue to live independently, has been nationally recognised”.

Pictured with the trophy at Barn Halt are (L-R) George Morris (Care Services Manager), Mary Pinkerton (resident) and Angela Williams (Senior Support Worker).

A CEF Specify Award for ‘Best Social Housing’.BIH’s 39 unit scheme Orchard House and Orchard Mews on the Newtownbreda Road won the Construction Employers’ Federation Best Social Housing Award.

The £4m scheme is comprised of general needs and apartment living homes. All of the units were built to Lifetime Homes and Secured By Design specifi cation and have an Eco-homes rating of Good.

The winning scheme on the Newtownbreda Road


101 per centSince its launch in 2007, NIFHA’s website has seen a steady increase in new and repeat traffi c. Comparative fi gures for the period 1 Oct – 31 Dec 07 and 1 Oct – 31 Dec 08 showed a 101.56 per cent increase in the volume of hits to the site.

By far the most commonly viewed pages on our site are the housing association database, home page, tender and job vacancies. Advertising contracts via the ‘tenders’ page is proving popular with our members. The facility is easy to use and

represents good value for money – very important for those effi ciency gains! Contractors accessing the site have commented that it is useful having tenders easily accessible in one place.

10 posh - Spring 09

£1.6m Toomebridge development

Ark HA recently completed Loughview Drive in Toomebridge. The scheme consists of 11 general needs family homes, designed as a rural clustered housing development promoting social, environmental and economic sustainability. It carefully balanced the built, natural and human environment to provide much needed social accommodation in this rural setting.

Each home has been constructed to Lifetime Homes Standard, Secured by Design and Eco Homes ratings. During construction they complied with the Considerate Constructors’ scheme.

Blowing Our Own Trumpet

The interior specially designed for the frail elderly.

Trinity invests £1.4m in Bangor

Bloomfi eld Road South is the latest development to be completed by Trinity Housing. The 14 (three-person two-bedroom) apartments are situated on the country side of the Bangor Ring Road adjacent to the Bloomfi eld Shopping Centre.

The site had been vacant, looked desolate and was bound by residential developments on two sides. Trinity wanted to enhance the area’s physical environment with the development and ensure that in meeting the identifi ed accommodation needs the future housing needs of the clients were achieved in terms of housing mix and design. The scheme has been developed with Lifetime Homes Principles, Eco Standards and Secured by Design accreditation in mind.

£3.67m Care Home

Wesley HA recently opened a brand new 38 bed state of the art, purpose built scheme for the frail elderly. It incorporates 20 dementia and 18 residential beds. It was designed and built with Secured by Design and Eco–Homes standards in mind. Wesley appointed an interior design company which specialises in the frail elderly/dementia sector, to oversee the internal decoration.

Commenting on the scheme, Lawrence McAdams, the Association’s Chief Executive, said: “This is an exciting new development and will bring much needed provision for those elderly persons with dementia who can no longer live on their own or be cared for by relatives.”

Loughview Drive, Toomebridge.


Lights, Camera, Action…

Accommodating Art

Tenants at Clanmil Housing’s Harmony Court Independent Living scheme and young people living in the Ballysillan area joined together to create “Flashback to Fashion”. It proved a winning combination as the fi lm triumphed at the recent Cinemagic Young Filmmaker Competition, in association with BT Vision.

The fi lm was the result of an intergenerational project made possible by Studio ON Creative Learning Centre. It focused on

tenants’ memories of fashion and clothing styles from their youth with the young people recreating and modelling the clothes for the camera.

Tina Kerr, Clanmil’s Scheme Co-ordinator for Harmony Court said it was a fantastic project and everyone at the scheme was very excited to have received an award for the fi lm. Next stop Hollywood!

posh - Spring 09 11Art Attack

At the end of 2007 SHAC HA was approached by Residence, an artist-led project to organise a range of art activities in rented accommodation, with the idea of using one or two of SHAC’s empty fl ats to help artists. By February 2008 a pilot project was under way in a two bedroom ground fl oor fl at in Donegall Street, Belfast.

The University of Ulster’s Art College is located nearby and some of their artists experimented with living and working in the fl at over a three week period. Students from the Glasgow School of Art joined them for a three day visit.

The pilot’s success with artists and tenants together with the enthusiasm of SHAC’s management for the idea meant Residence was able to benefi t from a seven month use of ‘Flat 4’ in 2008 to continue the initiative. It even extended to the Shore Road where they ran an additional project in a large ten bedroom house awaiting redevelopment. Artists travelled from Germany and Glasgow to live and work for a week with local artists in this property.

‘Flat 4’ was open to SHAC’s tenants and the public. It was used by local and international artists as living, studio and exhibition space and by Residence to host a Christmas party for SHAC’s tenants. Film nights were held in a large attic room in the building and the car park.

‘Flat 4’ will continue to be an open studio. During 2009 it will play host to a variety of artists, musicians and students offering a range of events and workshops.

George, Ane and Malte enjoy tea and TV outside at the House Home project, Shore Road, Belfast.

Clanmil staff and tenants from Harmony Court celebrate winning a Cinemagic Young Film Maker award at Belfast’s Odeon Cinema.


£15m for Clanmil from the European Investment Bank Clanmil Housing secured funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to deliver three social housing developments across Belfast.

To assist social housing projects as part of urban regeneration schemes across the UK the Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) completed a £100 million loan from the EIB.

The HFC will pass on the full benefi t of the EIB’s attractive lending rates to Clanmil. The loan is considerably cheaper than other forms of fi nance currently on offer. Its even cheaper than borrowing the UK Government can currently access!

Clanmil will use the funding to help fi nance inner-city residential developments on the Ormeau Road, at Pilot Street and Sunningdale Gardens. Together these schemes will bring a total of 238 new homes to those in greatest housing need.

FOLD Telecare Tackling Bogus CallersThe Police Service of Northern Ireland in conjunction with ntl: Telewest Business and Fold TeleCare launched ‘Quick Check’ to tackle the issue of bogus callers.

The 24-hour freephone telephone was piloted during summer 08 in the Newtownabbey area. As a result of its success the initiative was rolled out across Northern Ireland. It will allow householders to dial freephone 0800 013 22 90 to verify the individual identity of anyone calling at their door. This is the fi rst service of its kind within Northern Ireland.

12 posh - Spring 09

Alternative Angles is a social enterprise partnership between Triangle Housing Association and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. European funding through the Local Strategy Partnership gave the project the necessary fi nance to begin in Ballymena. Since then Alternative Angles projects have been established in Cookstown, Coleraine and Newtownabbey.

The various schemes have helped adults with a learning disability to undertake work preparation programmes. The programmes help build confi dence, develop skills and improve employment opportunities.

Trainees take part in a wide range of activities from producing conference packs, electronic business cards and DVDs to manufacturing candles, bird feeding packs and diagnostic kits for home use. NIFHA used Alternative Angles to produce their 2008 E-conference packs.

Trainees are from a wide cross section of our community and come to the schemes from adult centres or through community referrals from the

Northern Trust. There are currently 68 trainees working across the various programmes and 80 have been involved since the scheme began.

The Innovation Slot

John Kelly and Julie Anne McVeigh who work in Alternative Angles, Ballymena

L-R David Armstrong (ntl: Telewest Business) Kelly McKimm (Fold TeleCare) and Assistant Chief Constable, Duncan McCausland.

Disability is no bar to employment!

L-R: Piers Williamson of the Housing Finance Corporation with Margaret Ritchie MLA, Minister for Social Development, and Clanmil Housing’s Chief Executive, Clare McCarty


posh - Spring 09 13

A change in his job responsibilities gave Joe McKnight the opportunity to devote more time to other commitments. He had experience as a board member of a social economy organisation and when he saw NIFHA’s advertisement in the local press to register interest in Board Membership he decided to apply.

Wesley HA saw his application and approached Joe to see if he would be interested in joining their Committee. He has been a member of Wesley’s Management Committee for fi ve years now and recently took on the role of Treasurer.

Joe brings considerable fi nancial experience to the committee. He has worked in the UK fi nancial services industry for 30 years involved in treasury and commercial banking. Joe is Head of eChannels and Payments with AIB Group (UK) plc where he is responsible for the development and operation of AIB’s personal and business internet banking solutions for the UK. His extensive line management experience has given him insight into human resource and risk management. Joe remarked: “I feel these experiences help me to

contribute to the management and development of the association.”

When asked to comment on what he has gotten from the role so far Joe said: “From a professional perspective contributing to the work of the management committee gives me an exposure to issues and views I would not normally come across within my working environment.” He went on to say that it has also allowed him to work within a team but in a different context to his daily work. Joe told us the time commitment is not onerous. On average there is a meeting every month; usually held in the evening, which is important for him. If meetings were during the day he believes he would not be able to give the time required.

Joe has a busy personal life too. He is married with three children all of whom are studying at university. He’s an enthusiastic golfer and, when he fi nds the time, enjoys travelling in Europe and North America. Finally Joe said: “I feel it is important to contribute to the development of society and I believe the ethos and work of Wesley HA, and the housing association movement in general, allows me to do this.”

The commitment of voluntary board members is vital for the continued development of the housing association movement. In common with our other board members, Joe freely contributes a wealth of experience to support the associations’ management team.

Getting on Board

Joe McKnight, Wesley HA

“I feel it is

important to

contribute to the

development of

society…”

Housing associations welcome expressions of interest from those willing to serve voluntarily on their Board of Management. Associations encourage applications from both genders, a range of age groups, ethnic minorities and religious background. Boards need a

wide skill set and varied career experience including: fi nance, administration, community group working, social services and health management to help strengthen their work.

If you would like to contribute to the housing association

movement then contact NIFHA for further information and an application form.

T: 028 9023 0446

E: [email protected]

W: www.nifha.org (under NIFHA Governance)

Would you like to get involved?


14 posh - Spring 09

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Housing Associations fi nanced?Housing associations in Northern Ireland are independent voluntary organisations which are in part funded by government with the rest coming from private fi nance arranged separately by housing associations.

Assistance from the public purse was very limited until 1976, when the Housing (NI) Order became law. This offered subsidies to housing associations willing to undergo a rigorous registration and regulation procedure prescribed by the Department for Social Development (DSD).

Until April 2007 the DSD paid the Housing Association Grant (HAG). Since then the NIHE has assumed this responsibility. The proportion of grant depends on the location and design of the development but typically it represents about two-thirds of the project’s cost. The housing association then has to obtain the remaining capital by borrowing from a private institution (eg a bank) or investing its fi nancial reserves.

It is worth emphasising that the housing association has to repay its private loans and make fi nancial provision for all future maintenance from its rental income. As housing associations carry the full risk of defaulting on the loans their borrowing falls outside the defi nation of public expenditure. This means that associations can develop more homes with a given amount of public expenditure than a public authority.

What impact will the credit crunch have on housing associations?Housing associations develop homes using capital from two main sources:

• Public funding from the government through HAG; and

• Private borrowing from fi nancial institutions

The recent global economic downturn has had an effect on all businesses including housing associations. Some lenders have withdrawn from the market and those that remain are imposing more onerous conditions such as hefty arrangement fees and tighter enforcement of loan covenants. In addition, interest rates remain well above the Bank of England rate. Despite these diffi culties, however, housing associations are still able to raise private fi nance – the key issue is getting enough public money to partner it!

The credit crunch also increases the need for social rented housing. Many prospective homebuyers are unable to put down a big enough deposit or obtain a suitable mortgage in the current economic climate. This puts additional pressure on the private and social rented housing sectors since those who are unable to buy, even at the lower property prices that now prevail, are more likely to turn to either of these alternatives.


posh - Spring 09 15

NIFHA’s Housing Association MembersHousing Association Contact No Email Address Website

Abbeyfi eld UK (NI) 028 9036 5081 admin@abbeyfi eldni.org www.abbeyfi eldni.org

Abode 028 9336 0973 [email protected] n/a

Ark Housing 028 9075 2310 [email protected] www.arkhousing.co.uk

Ballynafeigh 028 9049 1569 [email protected] n/a

BIH 028 9032 0485 offi [email protected] www.bih.org.uk

Broadway 028 9074 2984 [email protected] n/a

Clanmil Housing 028 9087 6000 [email protected] www.clanmil.org

Connswater Homes 028 9065 6155 [email protected] www.connswater.org.uk

Covenanter 028 9073 9868 [email protected] n/a

Co-Ownership Housing 028 9032 7276 [email protected] www.co-ownership.org

Craigowen 028 9076 8029 offi [email protected] www.glencraig.org.uk

Dungannon & District 028 8772 2121 [email protected] www.ddha.net

Filor 028 9035 1131 fi [email protected] n/a

Flax 028 9059 2110 admin@fl axhousing.com www.fl axhousing.com

FOLD 028 9042 8314 n/a www.foldgroup.co.uk

Gosford 028 3751 8522 [email protected] www.gosfordhousing.co.uk

Grove 028 9077 3330 [email protected] www.groveha.org.uk

Habinteg (Ulster) 028 9042 7211 [email protected] www.habinteg-ulster.co.uk

Hearth 028 9053 0121 [email protected] www.hearth-housing.org.uk

Newington 028 9074 4055 [email protected] n/a

North & West 028 7126 3819 [email protected] www.northandwest.org

Oaklee 028 9044 1300 [email protected] www.oaklee.org.uk

Open Door 028 9024 3785 [email protected] n/a

Presbyterian 028 9050 7755 [email protected] www.pha-ni.org.uk

Rural 028 8224 6118 [email protected] www.ruralhousing.co.uk

SHAC 028 9024 6811 [email protected] www.shac.org.uk

South Ulster 028 3833 9795 [email protected] www.southulsterhousing.com

St Matthew’s 028 9045 1070 offi [email protected] n/a

Triangle 028 2766 6880 [email protected] www.trianglehousing.org.uk

Trinity Housing 028 9069 0250 [email protected] www.trinityha.org

Ulidia 028 9038 2288 [email protected] www.ulidiahousing.org

Wesley 028 9336 3558 [email protected] www.wha-ni.org

Woodvale & Shankill 028 9074 1618 [email protected] n/a

Non-registered*

Bangor Provident Trust 028 9024 6602 [email protected] n/a

Glenall Housing Co-operative 028 9031 1156 n/a n/a

Habitat for Humanity NI 028 9024 3686 [email protected] www.habitatni.co.uk

Intercomm Enterprises 028 9074 8355 [email protected] www.intercommireland.org

The Abbeyfi eld Belfast Society 028 9038 1332 afi [email protected] n/a

Threshold 028 9087 1313 [email protected] www.thresholdservices.com

Ulster Provident 028 9031 1156 n/a n/a

*These are members who provide housing but are not registered housing associations with DSD and therefore do not receive DSD funding

For full details of the accommodation and services offered by NIFHA’s members, please log onto www.nifha.org and search the Housing Association Database


Our work with Housing Associations is more than just...

TICKING THE RIGHT BOXES

At EOS Systems we believe there is more to customer care and client satisfaction than just ticking the right boxes.We believe in creating partnerships with our clients and by building these solid relationships we are able todevelop and implement the best possible IT solutions and offer unrivalled client support.

eos | systems t.028 9045 9222e. [email protected] Office Park, 100 Ladas Drive, Belfast BT6 9FH

One-stop-shop supplier for IT

products and services.

✓IT Maintenance and Support services

tailored to your specific needs.

✓Suppliers of industry leading server

solutions and installation services.

✓Providers of cost effective email,

web design and broadband services.

✓Experience in servicing many leading

Housing Associations across N.I.

✓


09_POSH Issue 11_Spring 09

Documents