Dunmurry welcomed some new residents last week as a new shared housing development by Apex Housing Association was completed. Areema Grove, located in the existing Areema estate, is now home to twenty-two families, with four of the new homes being purpose-built bungalows provided for people with complex needs.
As a Housing for All development, Areema Grove, its residents and the surrounding area will benefit from funding to encourage and support positive community relations. Apex will work in partnership with local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver a good relations plan for the area.
Donna Matthewson, Apex’s Director of Housing, said:
“It is great to see the creation of this new community in Dunmurry with people from different backgrounds living together. We are proud to have provided seven shared communities across Northern Ireland so far, with a further three developments due to be completed next year.
“Areema Grove has provided much needed social housing in the Dunmurry area, delivering high quality homes for families, older people and those with disabilities. It’s no exaggeration to say that these homes really have changed lives and we are delighted to have played a part in that.”
The development of Areema Grove has been supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. £2million has been invested in the Areema Grove shared housing development and associated five-year good relations plan.
Apex Housing Association currently has eight shared housing developments across Northern Ireland, with a further three currently being constructed. The Areema Grove Good Relations Plan will include “bridging” events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health and wellbeing, education and training.