Huge social housing site set for first tenants

Huge social housing site set for first tenants

6 February 2013

THE first group of residents due to move into Newcastle’s newest social housing development met last week.

Eighteen tenants who have secured homes at the Apex Housing Association’s Burren Meadow development off the Castlewellan Road took part in an induction session at the Newcastle Centre.

Over the coming months, similar sessions will be held every two weeks to acquaint the new residents with all they need to know about their new homes and the new development itself.

Tenants were joined at last week’s meeting in the resort by officials from a number of organisations including Paula Nixon from the Newcastle inter-agency group.

Other participants included Sister Teresa and Linda Boyle from the Murlough Community Association, councillor Carmel O’Boyle and PSNI officers Sergeant Jim McIlveen and Constable Davey Jones.

The Newcastle meeting was organised by Apex Housing, with officials David Pratt and Chris Hanna both making presentations, while Paula Nixon presented tenants with so-called welcome packs which contained a raft of information.

Councillor O’Boyle described the meeting as a “happy occasion for everyone present” and explained the information provided to the new residents will have done much to allay any concerns they may have had. “The first new tenants take ownership of their homes early this month, with the remaining homes released on a steady and phased basis,” she continued. “I think that the new tenants of Burren Meadow can be in no doubt that there will be ongoing support for them from all of us.”

Councillor O’Boyle said everyone wants to make the new tenants feel welcome and is delighted that most of the new homeowners are very much local people anyway.

She added: “Nonetheless, there is much excitement mixed with apprehension, and they need to know that Newcastle is a supportive and welcoming place and that help is close at hand for all of them. These are beautiful new houses and I congratulate Apex Housing Association on the very high specification and design of these lovely homes.”