BATTLE BEGINS
By Ciarán Barnes
27/11/2007
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie is set to go head-to-head with West Belfast politicians for a second time in a major row over housing.
Relations between the senior SDLP member and the local community hit rock bottom earlier in the year over controversial plans to build a five-storey apartment block on the old Andersonstown barracks site.
The proposal was eventually shelved after protests from outrage residents.
However, Ms Ritchie is again facing the wrath of West Belfast after she announced not a single social need house may be built during 2008 at a recent Stormont meeting.
Plans to construct 500 new homes in various locations including Hannahstown, Devonshire and Distillery Street are now in jeopardy.
Sinn Féin Assemblyman Fra McCann yesterday warned that it could be years before construction work begins on the much-needed projects.
He said: “This is a disgrace. Those most in need in our society are the ones who will suffer. The future of up to 500 new homes in West Belfast is now in jeopardy because of this ridiculous decision.”
There are currently 2,240 people on the West Belfast Housing Executive waiting list.
With this in mind the prospect of not a single social home being built in the area next year worries Fra.
He added: “I have written to the Minister for Social Development and asked her to stop blaming everyone else for not delivering.
“She is the minister and has at her disposal the means of kick-starting the fightback in terms of providing social housing and creating an affordable market.”
The Department for Social Development (DSD) claims that with a 2007-08 budget allocation of just £153 million it cannot afford to build any new social homes. DSD officials say they need a budget of at least £546 million.
A spokesman for the DSD said: “No budget allocation has been made yet to the Housing Executive. Everything is in draft form and the minister will work tirelessly to champion the rights of the elderly, disabled and vulnerable in seeking that the actual budget she is allocated for her department increases.
“She is also seeking broad political and community support for this approach. But the fact is that the draft budget being offered for investment in housing, as part of the government’s overall investment strategy, may mean that it may not be possible to start any new social housing next year as it currently stands.”
