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DSD seeks return of £8m housing grant from Helm Housing | DSD seeks return of £8m housing grant from Helm Housing |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The government is to seek the return of £8m from a Northern Ireland housing association after a major project failed to deliver a single new home. | The government is to seek the return of £8m from a Northern Ireland housing association after a major project failed to deliver a single new home. |
Helm Housing received the public funds in 2007 to part finance its £9.7m purchase of land in Belfast. | Helm Housing received the public funds in 2007 to part finance its £9.7m purchase of land in Belfast. |
Helm's proposal was for 200 homes on the site at Great George's Street. | Helm's proposal was for 200 homes on the site at Great George's Street. |
But nothing was built and now an Audit Office report had said the Department of Social Development (DSD) "is minded to begin recovery procedures". | But nothing was built and now an Audit Office report had said the Department of Social Development (DSD) "is minded to begin recovery procedures". |
The undeveloped land, beside the M3 flyover, has been the subject of several investigations. | The undeveloped land, beside the M3 flyover, has been the subject of several investigations. |
'Barred' | 'Barred' |
Its former owner sold it for £6.5m to an Isle of Man-registered company which then sold it on to Helm Housing for £9.7m later that same day. | Its former owner sold it for £6.5m to an Isle of Man-registered company which then sold it on to Helm Housing for £9.7m later that same day. |
The DSD has told the Audit Office it is "unable to obtain any explanation for these transactions." | The DSD has told the Audit Office it is "unable to obtain any explanation for these transactions." |
The land is now worth considerably less. | The land is now worth considerably less. |
Helm Housing has undergone a major shake-up in recent times after failures were identified in how the organisation was run. | Helm Housing has undergone a major shake-up in recent times after failures were identified in how the organisation was run. |
It has a new chief executive, chairman and board members. | |
In 2011, it was barred from obtaining public money to build new homes. | In 2011, it was barred from obtaining public money to build new homes. |
But following a recent review by the DSD, Helm has now been reinstated on the government's social housing programme. | But following a recent review by the DSD, Helm has now been reinstated on the government's social housing programme. |
Helm, one of the biggest housing associations in Northern Ireland, said the move "heralds a new era." | Helm, one of the biggest housing associations in Northern Ireland, said the move "heralds a new era." |