Belfast Shankill - The Housing Executive

Housing
NEWS
40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2011
Shankill
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.
Shankill District Office
Spencer House, 71 Royal Avenue,
Belfast BT1 1FE
Main Number: 03448 920 900
Repairs:
03448 920 901
Housing Benefit: 03448 920 902
Email:
belfastshankill@nihe.gov.uk
The District office is open to the public during the
following times:­
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:
9.30am - 4.00pm
Wednesday: 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 info@nihe.gov.uk, or
• Using our Facebook page www.facebook.com/
thehousingexecutive
When contacting us please include your reasons
for your nomination.
Shankill
New Neighbourhood
Officer Service in the
Shankill District
This year saw the launch of our new Neighbourhood
Officer Service which came out of a review of the
existing warden service.
The role of the Neighbourhood Officer is to
complement services provided by staff in the local
District Office and as part of that Neighbourhood
Officers will be out and about in the Shankill District
on a daily basis. They will work directly with local
communities on issues like illegal dumping, graffiti, anti
social behaviour and environmental improvements.
District Manager Gordon Reilly explains:
“Our Neighbourhood Officers have a clear remit to
support individual tenants and also to develop local
neighbourhoods. We would encourage tenants to get
to know their Neighbourhood Officer and how best to
make use of the service they can provide.”
The new service was launched at the April meeting of
the Housing Community Network and speaking on
their behalf Alessie McCrossan added:
“Having Neighbourhood Officers that are aware of
the needs of local residents will not only help bring
Brian Walsh and Declan Sherrard pictured with Alessie McCrossan at
the launch of the new service
about improvements, for both individuals and
communities, but should also see any problems sorted
out faster.”
There are two Neighbourhood Officers in the Shankill
District; Brian Walsh who covers the Lower Shankill and
the area from Peter’s Hill to Lawnbrook and Declan
Sherrard who covers Springmartin, Forthriver, Highfield,
Mid Shankill, Ainsworth and Woodvale. Speaking about
their role they said:
“We’re really looking forward to working with
communities in the Shankill District and would
encourage tenants to lift up the phone and contact
us at the District Office if there is anything they are
worried about - we are there to help.”
A woodland created with Harmony
During April Primary 6 pupils from
Harmony Primary School helped us plant
a new woodland at Forthriver Dale in
Glencairn.
As part of the project 1,750 Red Oak,
Norway Maple, Horse Chestnut, Ash,
Alder, Silver Birch and Scots Pine trees
were planted - a new fence was also
erected to protect the young trees.
Malachy Brennan the Housing Executive’s
Grounds Maintenance Manager for Belfast SPADE WORK: the children had fun planting the new woodland
explains:
“Apart from maintaining many thousands of homes throughout Northern Ireland we are also responsible
for the upkeep of much of the land in and around our estates. We believe that communal and planted areas
are there for the enjoyment of all residents so we are always pleased when local communities get involved.”
Headmistress, Mrs Hutchinson added
“It’s great to see the children participate in projects like this and we certainly hope it will be the first
of many. For as well as having good fun it helped them to develop a sense of social responsibility and
encourages an interest in nature through actual ‘hands-on’ planting. Now on their journey to school the
children will be able to check on the progress of the trees and in the future they might even be able to take
their own children to the woodland and tell them about the part they played in helping it grow.”
3
Housing
NEWS 2011
£750,000 Makeover in Mid Shankill
At the start of the year 250 Housing Executive homes in the Mid Shankill area got an external makeover at a cost of
£783,491.00.
The scheme was part of the Housing Executive’s programme to maintain the outside of tenants’ homes on a
cyclical basis and work included the provision of new uPVC double glazed windows in the majority of homes.
Existing double glazed windows were serviced and defective external doors were replaced. We also took the
opportunity to upgrade roof insulation where required.
Speaking at the start of the scheme local Councillor, William Humphrey, said:
“The scheme is good news for this part of the Shankill. Not only will the new windows have economic benefits
for individual tenants in terms of energy savings but the overall scheme will have a positive impact on the
entire area.”
Sarah Dalzell who has lived in the Shankill for over 68
years was one of the tenants to get new windows and
she added:
“I’m delighted with the work carried out, especially
the new windows – as the house is much warmer and
quieter!
Staff in the Shankill Office and the workmen were
extremely helpful and were happy answering any
questions I had. I would also like to thank Councillor
District Manager Gordon Reilly and Councillor Humphrey pictured with Humphrey for all his help.”
Sarah and neighbour Iris Johnston
New Kitchens for Ainsworth
Earlier in the year 79 tenants in the Ainsworth area got
brand new kitchens at a cost of over £325,000.
Sarah has lived in her home since it was built in 1988
and had nothing but praise for the scheme. She added:
As part of this scheme, which was carried out by our
contractor PK Murphy, tenants were able to select their
own units, worktop and tiles from a range of options
- new floor covering and a cooker hood completed
the look. We also took the opportunity to upgrade
electrical systems and install or upgrade smoke and
heat detectors as necessary.
“Like most people I spend a lot of time in the kitchen
so was delighted when I heard I was getting a new
one. It’s so modern and bright – I just love it. I even
splashed out on new co-ordinating accessories!”
During March the then Minister for Social Development,
Alex Attwood, visited the area to see the improvements
at first hand. Speaking over a cup of tea with long term
Ainsworth resident Sarah Moody he said:
“This scheme is providing much needed improvements
to homes in Ainsworth and is further evidence of
the Housing Executive’s efforts to target resources
effectively and in areas of high social need. It’s great
to have the opportunity to talk to Sarah, someone
who has lived here for more than 20 years, and to hear
what she has to say about the work. I’m pleased to
say she is very happy with the end result and I hope
she enjoys her modern new kitchen.”
4
Fancy a cuppa: Sarah is pictured in her new kitchen with Alex Attwood
Shankill
New Era UnFOLDs at
Battenberg Street
Earlier in the year work got underway on 26 new
homes at Battenberg Street. The Housing Executive
determined the need for the redevelopment of the
area and Fold Housing Association came on board to
build and manage the new homes, which are being
constructed to Lifetime Homes Standard and Secured
by Design and Code for Sustainable Homes.
Derelict houses at Battenberg Street were demolished
to facilitate the development as Gail Green, Assistant
District Manager for the area, explains:
“The Housing Executive transferred land it owned at
Battenberg Street to Fold Housing Association, so I’m
delighted to see the new homes getting underway.
You have only to look at the new social housing
already provided in the vicinity and the private homes
built at Lanark Way to see the major role which
housing has played in transforming the Shankill area
in recent years.
The Housing Executive remains committed to the
regeneration of the Shankill area and we will continue
to work closely with local communities, our partners
in the housing association movement and private
developers to achieve this throughout the Shankill
area.”
Jacqui Gilmore, Area Manager with Fold Housing
Association added:
“Investing in new housing developments which can
bring positive improvements for communities is an
important aspect of the work carried out by Fold
Housing Association. Together with the Housing
Executive and the local community I feel we have
come up with a housing development in which
everyone can take great pride.”
Housing Executive
caters for all tastes in
the Shankill
A further 207 tenants in the Lawnbrook, Upper
Shankill and West Circular areas also got new
kitchens courtesy of two schemes which cost over
£850,000 to complete.
Again the work was carried out by our contractor
PK Murphy, who worked closely with staff in the
Shankill Office and tenants to ensure minimum
disruption for those involved. You can see that in
both schemes this certainly paid dividends.
Kathleen Ashe from the West Circular area tells us
what the new kitchen has meant to her:
“The kitchen is the heart of my home and having
a new one has made all the difference to me. I’m
so pleased that I was able to pick my own worktop
and units as they blend in with the rest of the
house.”
Henrietta and Frances Fleming also got a new
kitchen as part of the Lawnbrook scheme and they
added:
“We loved the fact that we were able to choose
from a range of different worktops and doors so
were able to pick one that matched our kitchen
table. The workmen from PK Murphy were lovely
young men and worked diligently and quickly.”
Kathleen shows
her new kitchen
to the Housing
Executive’s
Karen Rankin
and Eunan
McCourt from
PK Murphy
A delighted
Henrietta and
Frances received
a bunch of
flowers from
Gordon Reilly
to mark the
occasion
Fold Housing Association and the Housing Executive joined the
community to watch work getting underway at Battenberg Street
5
Housing
NEWS 2011
New Artwork Unveiled on Shankill
If you have been on the Shankill Road recently you
won’t fail to have noticed the new piece of public art at
Brown Square, known locally as the ‘Angel of the Road’.
It is located on land owned by the Housing Executive
and resembles an angel with welcoming open arms
stretched upwards; alluding to the female mill workers
who once lived in the area. It was developed as part of
the ‘Creative Legacies’ programme, which is delivered
by Belfast City Council and a range of cultural and
community partners, with funding from the European
Regional Development Fund under the PEACE III
programme.
developing through the project. This is the gateway
to the greater Shankill, and the community have
been heavily involved in decisions leading up to
this beautiful final artwork, giving them pride and
ownership while welcoming people to the area.”
The project was supported by the Housing Executive
and our Chairman Brian Rowntree added:
“The artwork is an excellent example of just what
can be achieved by working in partnership with other
agencies and local communities and I’m sure everyone
is pleased with the end result. As well as being a
striking piece of artwork it’s bound to become a
talking point on many a journey in and out of Belfast.”
As part of the initiative, local residents and
schoolchildren participated in workshops where they
explored the themes and ideas that would inspire the
sculpture. They worked with artist Clare Lawlor to draw
up final designs which were then displayed at the Lower
Shankill Community Association for feedback from the
wider community.
Speaking at the unveiling Roz Small, Arts and Tourism
Co-ordinator with the Greater Shankill Partnership said:
“It was extraordinary to see how much this meant to
schoolchildren, who previously would have known
little about their history. There was a real sense of a
community becoming more at ease with itself and a
greater understanding between local communities
New sculpture is a ‘welcome’ addition
Forward Thinking at Forthspring
That’s the message that has come out of an indepth consultation exercise carried out by our
Research Department on behalf of Forthspring
Inter Community Group. The group is included
in Phase III of the Shared Neighbourhood
Programme, which is delivered by the Housing
Executive and funded by the International Fund
for Ireland.
Forthspring Inter Community Group, which
began operating in 1997, straddles the interface
at Workman Avenue between the Springfield
Shared Space: local communities came together to view the artwork
Road in West Belfast and the Woodvale area. The
aim of the group is to provide shared services to
local people in these areas and to promote good relations within and between the communities. The survey was
commissioned to gauge the views of local residents on the concept of a shared neighbourhood and to identify
potential areas for development.
The results were launched at a special event held in Forthspring during March and showed that, while the majority
of people felt that anti social behaviour would increase if the peace wall was to be removed, they were very much
in favour of sharing resources such as out-of-school hours clubs and shared school programmes as well as using
shared space for the benefit of both communities.
The event also highlighted a cross community and inter-generational art project entitled ‘Window on the Wall’.
This was funded by Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Small Grant Programme and used scrap material,
recyclable material and everyday disposal items to create colourfully altered and exciting art pieces.
6
This page provides information on some of the Housing Executive’s key
activities over the past year in the Shankill district 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 3,583 of these are
in the Shankill 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, 285 were
in the Shankill district.
HOMELESSNESS
Last year following investigation, 10,433 applicants
were accepted as being statutorily homeless in
Northern Ireland, 285 of them were from the Shankill
district.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Last year the Housing Executive received 4,667
reports of anti social behaviour and 34 of these
cases were in the Shankill district. 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.
HOUSE SALES
Last year a total of 274 tenants bought their homes
from the Housing Executive. See back page for
information on buying your home.
WAITING LIST
In Northern Ireland there are 39,891 applicants
on the waiting list for a home. In the Shankill District
there are 888 applicants.
HOUSING BENEFIT FRAUD
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 13,688 were in the Shankill
district.
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
nnive
rsary
of
the Ho
usin
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.
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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
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be
This could
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from getting a ho
It could also be ev
idence that bene
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is being committe
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ening.
to stop this happ
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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
Shankill
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
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(it i
e
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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:
Info@olderpeoplesadvocateni.org
Website:
www.olderpeoplesadvocateni.org
Shankill
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.
13
Housing
NEWS 2011
Minor
adaptations
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.
Rent Arrears – Everyone Pays!
Over the past four years the total amount of rent and rates owed by
tenants in Belfast has decreased (£4.70m in 2007/08 to £4.07m in
2010/11) however, the impact that this level of arrears has can not be
underestimated.
It’s easy to think that tenants who can but choose not to pay their rent
only affect themselves, as ultimately they could be evicted from their
home for non payment. However, this isn’t the case as that money could
potentially be used to fund planned maintenance schemes to replace out
of date windows, kitchens and heating systems. So you can see that rent
arrears really does affect everyone!
We would like to take this opportunity to remind all our tenants in Belfast
of their responsibility to maintain regular payments and would ask anyone
struggling to meet their rental charge to contact the Public Housing
Benefit and Accounts Unit as soon as possible.
Staff there have been trained to give money advice and will ensure
that you are in receipt of any benefits that you are entitled to. They can
also agree with you a realistic prevention or repayment plan and can be
contacted in person at 32/36 Great Victoria Street, Belfast or by Telephone
on 03448 920 900.
Or if you prefer they will be able to put
you in touch with other agencies who
provide specialist money advice.
Gary Ballantyne
Belfast Public Housing Benefit and
Accounts Manager
Help is on hand
at the Belfast Area Office
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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.
Shankill
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: waterline@niwater.com
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
emergency.services@nihe.gov.uk
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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5
Housing
NEWS 2011
Useful Telephone Numbers
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Shankill District Office ................................... 03448 920 900
Repairs Line ....................................................... 03448 920 901
Housing Benefit ............................................... 03448 920 902
Homeless ‘After Hours’ Service ............ 9056 5444
Belfast City Council
City Hall ............................................................... 9032 0202
Dog Warden ...................................................... 9027 0431
Pest Control ....................................................... 9027 0431
Refuse Collection............................................. 9027 0230
Waste Management (Recycling) ................ 0800 0328100
Citizens Advice Bureau
268 Shankill Road ............................................ 9026 2890
Housing Rights Service .............................. 9024 5640
Social Security Office
15 Snugville Street .......................................... 9025 1456
Northern Ireland Electricity
Emergency Service ......................................... 08457 643643
Water Service
Faults/Emergency Service ............................ 08457 440088
Police Central Exchange ............................ 0845 600 8000
Hospitals
City ....................................................................... 9032 9241
Mater ................................................................... 9074 1211
Royal .................................................................... 9024 0503
Greater Shankill Community Council and Shankill Mirror Offices....................... 9032 5536
Greater Shankill Alternatives.................. 9031 1420
Greater Shankill Partnership .................. 9031 1455
Shankill Women’s Centre ........................... 9024 0642
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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