CASTLE ERNE SCOOPS TOP UK HOUSING AWARD

Enniskillen based temporary housing unit Castle Erne recently won the outstanding achievement in N.I award from the Chartered Institute of Housing. The award is richly deserved and is an excellent example of real achievement through partnership working, between Fold Housing Association and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The scheme is not permanently staffed and there are no staff present at weekends or evenings and as such this has represented an unique challenge to the partnership. However this challenge has been successfully met and there are many examples of how this scheme makes a real difference in people’s lives. The unit has assisted many vulnerable and homeless households who are often in crisis situations and who are given direction and tailored support to move on to sustain tenancies in permanent accommodation.

Castle Erne resident Aivaras Baltuskonis commented ‘Getting a place here was a huge relief at a very stressful time. The support I’m receiving is helping me to sort out other areas of my life because I now have a safe and stable place to live’

A NIHE spokesman commented ‘ In these challenging times this innovative scheme demonstrates how through partnership working and the use of new technologies, high quality and cost effective housing services can still be delivered. We are confident that this initiative could be successfully replicated in other areas in Northern Ireland and across the UK.’

The scheme continues to provide such needed services and accommodation in the Fermanagh area.

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