09 June 2009

£1m Shankill Housing Improvement Project

Over £1m-worth of external improvements are to be carried out on 314 Housing Executive homes in Belfast's Shankill area.

Built between 1980 and 1991, the properties are a mixture of houses, flats and bungalows.

The work will be carried out as part of the Housing Executive's Planned Maintenance Programme, which ensures that homes are upgraded on a regular basis and continue to meet modern day standards.

Original window frames will be replaced with double glazed uPVC windows and defective external doors will also be replaced. Repairs will also be carried out on roofs, chimneys, rainwater goods, fencing and paths.

Gordon Reilly, the Housing Executive's Shankill District Manager, said: "Our contractor PK Murphy have carried out in depth consultation with the community and their representatives and will continue to liaise with them to ensure that work progresses with the minimum of disruption."

Local councillor William Humphrey welcomed the commencing of the scheme.

"It's great to see the homes getting a bit of a facelift and the improvements, especially the new windows, will make a real difference.

"The local residents and I have worked closely with the local District Office in the development of this scheme and we will continue to liaise with them and their contractor."

(PR/JM)