Councillor Peter Weir - Decent Homes

“I was deeply shocked to learn, via an answer to an Assembly Question that I submitted, that 7320 houses in North Down Borough Council are deemed not to meet Decent Homes standards. Taken with the figures for the neighbouring Ards Council area in which nearly 8000 homes fall into the same category, this is a damning indictment of the condition of many houses locally. While these figures are dependant upon the definition of  a Decent Home, which by definition is subjective, it shows the urgent need to tackle this problem. 

These figures cover both private and public sector housing. In the private sector it is vital that there is proper enforcement and action taken against irresponsible social landlords who are damaging the reputation of the vast majority of responsible landlords. In the public sector it again calls into question the position of the Department of Social Development, and whether they have got the balance right. They have prioritised new builds in their budget, and while there is a clear need for new housing, I believe that at times this has been at the expense of necessary improvement to existing public sector housing. Money was allocated last year by the Finance Department, specifically on the grounds that this should be directed towards maintenance and improvements of existing public housing. Yet the people of areas such as Bloomfield are wondering what has happened to this money, and when planned schemes in their area are going to be brought about. These figures must act as a wake up call.”