Radius Housing investing £21 million in home improvements

Radius invests in heating upgrades, major refurbishment and adaptations across housing stock

Radius Housing is investing more than £21million in upgrades and improvements to its properties this year, the largest ever planned maintenance spend by the housing association. Radius is investing in a range of significant works including major adaptations, decoration and heating upgrades, as well as increasing investment in response repairs and servicing.

Radius Housing manages more than 13,000 homes in 80 towns across Northern Ireland, as well as providing supported housing with 24 hour care for frail and elderly people, people with dementia and those with learning difficulties; in addition it provides 12,000 day care placements. This year, Radius is increasing its assets investment to improve homes and residential care facilities to £21.2 million.

The most significant spend is on planned maintenance works which will see major refurbishment work carried out on a number of the shared and residential care properties. These include major works programmes for Loughview Fold in Holywood, Scrabo Manor and Scrabo Glen in Newtownards and Belfast Foyer on Malone Road. Radius is also undertaking a number of major adaptations to homes to support tenants with mobility issues. This work includes home extensions to facilitate new bedrooms and en suites, and increase accessibility in the homes.

Aisling McStravick, Director of Assets at Radius Housing, said “By investing in upgrades and improvements, Radius is ensuring that our tenants are able to live comfortably in their homes. This year, the £21.2 million we are investing in works across homes and residential schemes is the biggest annual spend we will have undertaken. From interior and exterior decorating to major adaptations, this investment will significantly improve our tenants’ homes, and their lives.

“Since April we have invested more than £500,000 in heating upgrades, which will not only make the homes warmer, but will also increase efficiency and help reduce energy bills for our tenants. We are also increasing investment into response repairs and servicing, which will help us respond to unforeseen issues in tenants’ homes right across Northern Ireland. Our goal is to ensure the homes we provide are of the highest quality and we will always strive to provide the best service for our tenants.”

Among the properties undergoing major renovation are:

• Loughview Fold, Holywood. Loughview is shared by two schemes; Sheltered Accommodation providing independent living for over 55’s and Housing with Care for vulnerable residents who require 24 hour care. This project will see a £790,000 investment to install new windows and doors, create a new sensory garden for tenants, internal and external redecoration, new alarm systems and electrical upgrade. This work will be completed by February 2020.
• Scrabo Manor & Glen, Newtownards - Scrabo Manor is a sheltered scheme which houses 35 apartments and Scrabo Glen is a general needs development which consists of 23 properties. A £1.4 million investment is underway to install new kitchens, windows, doors, lighting, alarm system and insulation. This work will be completed by March 2020.
• Belfast Foyer - a listed building on Malone Road, Belfast, which is a Joint Management Agreement scheme with 42 bedsits, currently occupied by the Simon Community. Belfast Foyer will undergo extensive refurbishment and remodelling, and will start with £40,000 of works & repairs.

ENDS