Opening of new Belfast Improved Housing offices

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for the invitation to open your new offices.  This is a magnificent facility and is entirely in keeping with the progressive ethos of your organisation.

I have been given a tour of the new facilities and have met some of the staff working here. I have been thoroughly impressed by everything I have seen and heard and would like to congratulate you on a job well done.

BIH now has over 4,500 houses in management and is the largest housing association in Northern Ireland.  With over 350 new houses started last year, you are a major contributor to the social housing programme and to my New Housing Agenda.  

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your significant contribution, which ensured that last year’s target of 1,500 housing starts was not only met, but exceeded.

Housing is a vital issue in Northern Ireland and one which I am determined to tackle. As part of my New Housing Agenda, I aim to deliver over 10,000 new social and affordable homes over the next 5 years.

This is a challenging target but I know that all members of the Northern Ireland housing family will work together to achieve it.

These new facilities are certainly proof that BIH is planning for the future and getting ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead.  

As you all know, my new procurement strategy is imminent and I want to wish you well in your future partnership arrangements with housing association colleagues in the Abacus grouping.  

The strategy will help to streamline processes and to generate savings that can then be put back into the social housing programme.  

In the past twelve months I have visited and met with groups, staff and volunteers throughout the social Housing sector and I have invariably come away impressed by and grateful for the work they carry out in difficult circumstances.

Last year’s success in delivering the social housing programme was a great success for us all and one that I hope we will repeat and exceed this success in the coming years.

These new facilities are physical proof of your commitment to continue to provide quality services for those who need them.

They are an investment for the future and a statement of your confidence.

I want to thank you for the time and effort you so willingly give for the benefit of the whole community. Chairman, to you and the association, please accept my best wishes for the future.

It now gives me great pleasure to formally declare this new conference suite officially open.