A cross-border initiative aimed at promoting good relations across housing associations in Northern Ireland and the border regions has been launched.
The £1.1m Housing Associations Integration Project (HAIP) was launched at Girdwood Community Hub in Belfast.
The project is funded by the EU’s Peace IV Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
It will bring together social housing residents from different religious and cultural backgrounds to share experiences, learn about differences and embrace diversity.
The aim of Housing Associations’ Integration Project is to build, improve and sustain positive relationships with residents and their neighbours from different backgrounds.
Alan Shannon, Chairperson of the Project Steering Committee for the Housing Associations Integration Project said this is the first initiative of its kind to cover Northern Ireland and the border counties.
‘The project will be delivered by a new partnership involving four of Northern Ireland’s largest housing associations (Radius, Clanmil, Choice and Apex), TIDES Training, Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA), and the Irish Council for Social Housing,” he said.
Mr Shannon said the project partners have come together because of their experience of promoting and working in good relations.
“We are looking forward to working with our partners and communities to deliver this exciting project,” he added.
Richard Mealey, Project Coordinator, Housing Associations Integration Project (HAIP) said the cross-border dimension of the project is unique, and that they are looking forward to working with the project delivery team in the coming months.
Discussing how the project is developing, Mr Mealey said nine community audits across different housing developments have already been conducted, with many more scheduled for the coming months.
“It is envisaged that over 1000 tenants from 40 neighbourhoods will take part in community building programmes and skills workshops by August 2020. A number of study visits are also scheduled, and we are looking to develop a range of new community-based partnerships which will provide an important channel for residents to meet regularly and share ideas,” he said.
And, welcoming the project, Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body said unfortunately this region has been left with deeply engrained issues associated with social segregation, as a result of the troubles/conflict.
“The project will also deliver a bespoke good relations training programme for up to 200 people, on both sides of the border, with the hope that many of these individuals will go on to become ‘community champions’, delivering positive change in their local areas,” she added.
Christine McCarron, a a Newtownabbey-based tenant with Clanmil Housing Association, said having lived in a similar social housing environment, she can relate to the aims of the project.
“I’m delighted to see that the team will be working with residents across Northern Ireland and the border counties. They are working to build a better society and I feel this initiative will have a huge impact on helping to bring communities together. It is important to be able to live and work well within any community,” she added.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Housing Associations’ Integration Project can contact Richard Mealey, NIFHA (Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations) tel: 028 90897 698 or rmealey@nifha.org or www.haiptogether.org
The launch event also featured a special appearance by Clanmil Community Choir.
