Shankill Councillor Hugh Smyth is outraged that the chronic need for essential housing repairs is being ignored, despite the additional monies being provided to the Housing Minister.

Smyth said: “I am angry that many of my constituents cannot get any repairs carried out unless they are deemed urgent, emergency or are a risk to health and safety. Even tenants who have been given the go ahead for OT referred shower installations are being stalled because of a lack of resources within the Housing Executive. I have spoken to councillors the length and breadth of Northern Ireland and they are telling me the same story. This is apparently down to the significant decline in buy back of Housing Executive properties.”

“The Greater Shankill has a disproportionately high level of older properties so therefore the repair bill is significantly higher. This is a totally unsatisfactory situation and once again those who are most in need are disadvantaged.”

Cllr Smyth is lobbying the Minister to make her aware of what is happening and to take action on this area of housing neglect in his local Shankill and also across Northern Ireland.

Photo: courtesy of the shankillmirror.com