Almost 930 social homes for city

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Almost £80m of government money has been earmarked for social housing in Lisburn.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie made the announcement during a visit to the city on Monday.

The Housing Executive's Lisburn Housing and Regeneration Strategy should see about 930 new homes built in the city as well as improvements to others.

The total scheme has been valued at £77m - excluding land costs - over the next five years.

Ms Ritchie said: "The new work will build on the sustained improvements in housing we have achieved over recent years.

"The quality of homes in areas such as Old Warren and Seymour Hill have been improved considerably and this has also encouraged community-based regeneration initiatives."

The minister added that housing developments in the Ballymacoss and Tonagh areas of Lisburn were providing new modern homes in areas of housing need.

"However, there are still too many people in Lisburn who have to wait far longer for housing than they, or the Housing Executive, would want," she said.

The Housing Executive's Chief Executive, Paddy McIntyre, said: "We are committed to building sustainable communities - this means making sure that new housing is supported by jobs and education and health facilities.

"These need to be delivered in parallel. Together with the housing associations, key statutory agencies and local communities we can work to make this strategy a success."