Housing chief wins respected industry award

Housing chief wins respected industry award

11 March 2015

A BALLYNAHINCH woman has won a prestigious award.

Eileen Patterson, director of housing services with Fold Housing Association, was named Housing Professional of the Year at the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland annual awards.

This was the first year an award was presented for Housing Professional of the Year after the category introduced to celebrate outstanding individual contributions by housing professionals who aspire to excellence in their practice, while also inspiring others.

Eileen has had a long career in housing and has been a director with Fold since 2005. Presenting her with this award, the Chartered Institute of Housing referred to how she has led in the design and delivery of innovative new services and described her as an inspirational housing director and a great example to others.  

“I am very humbled to have received this recognition from my peers in housing and was very pleased to accept it on behalf of the whole team in Fold who really do want to make a difference to the lives of those we provide homes for,” said Eileen, who studied for a postgraduate diploma and masters in housing at the University of Ulster and is a graduate of the Queen’s University Business Leaders Programme.

“Housing is much more than bricks and mortar and in Fold we don’t just build homes, we create communities. Having somewhere safe and secure to live is a fundamental need for us all. Having good housing will positively impact on the health and wellbeing of all the families who live in Fold accommodation.”

Eileen said delivering good housing services is all about people and believes services must be designed around those who will receive them, with staff empowered to deliver them.

Fold Housing Association chief executive, John McLean, said the organisation is thrilled to be recognised at the annual CIH Awards.

He added: “The awards represent the hard work, commitment and dedication of individuals and the team, as well as the continuous improvement and high standards we strive for at Fold for all our customers and service users.”