Thousands of Housing Executive grants cancelled - Brady
Published: 24 August, 2009
Sinn Féin assembly member for Newry Armagh and Social Development committee member, Mickey Brady has called on Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie Executive to explain why up to 10,000 grant applications have been cancelled by the Housing Executive.
"Sinn Féin have been concerned at the growing number of people turned down for assistance for Housing Executive grants to carry out urgent works to their homes - many of which are essential due of the poor condition of the homes or work is required because of the medical condition of the applicant.
"I have been made aware that 13,700 people are on the waiting list for housing grants and that 9,700 people, who have had there applications fully processed, have had their application frozen indefinitely.
"This is a serious situation. The failure to carry out this work will have a negative impact on people's health and will lead to the further deterioration of their homes.
"There is also a cost to people in terms of getting the relevant documents and detailed plans in place only for them to be refused at the last hurdle, leaving many people with bills for thousands of pounds.
"The Housing Executive and Minister Ritchie need to explain why this is happening and what is being done to ensure that the conditions in these properties, which are privately owned, do not condemn people to a life in unhealthy and unsafe housing. They also need to explain if people will be compensated for the expenses they have incurred to date.
"It has been widely recognised that Rural Housing needs major investment. Yet, the cancellation of these grants will impact greatly on people who live in a rural setting -who in many cases live in intolerable conditions.
"People who find themselves in this situation should contact the Sinn Féin offices in Newry, Crossmaglen or Armagh or contact Sinn Féin representatives so we can catalogue and highlight these problems."
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