Construction on new social housing to begin next month in Omagh

THE construction of 40 much-needed social housing units is due to get underway next month on the land of the former Woodside Training Centre, in the Gortin Road area of Omagh.

Arbour Housing Association, formerly South Ulster Housing Association, appear the frontrunners to be allocated the contract for the new development which will put a dent in the extensive waiting lists born from Omagh’s desperate need for more social housing.

A Housing Executive spokesperson told UH, “Arbour Housing intend to enter into a development agreement for the construction of the 40 properties, which will provide accommodation for 160 people, next month (March).” The spokesperson added, “Construction is expected to take two years, with an anticipated completion date in March 2024.”

The UH understands that Arbour’s application for a Housing Association Grant, thought to be in the region of £3.9m, is currently under assessment by the Housing Executive.

News of the forthcoming construction arrives only a few months after the Housing Executive admitted that the woefully inadequate availability of social houses in Omagh must be addressed, conservatively estimating that “154 new units will be required to meet Omagh’s social housing demand between 2020 and 2025”.

Although this new development – which includes fives two-bedrooms houses; ten three-bedroom houses; three one-bedroom apartments; ten two-bedroom apartments; two two-bedroom wheelchair accommodations; and
five three-bedroom accommodations – does represent a move in the right
direction, many more units will have to be built before everyone on the
growing social housing waiting lists is homed.

West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley has welcomed the news. “These proposals will help alleviate the housing stress that currently exists in Omagh.

“Everyone is entitled to a secure and stable home, and I expressed the significant demand there is in the Omagh area for social housing recently in a meeting with the Housing Executive.

“A shortage of available private rental properties in urban and rural parts combined with the rising cost of living has meant that families have been struggling to find suitable accommodation.

“These additional homes range from one bedroom apartments through to four bedroom houses which will appeal to people with various circumstances.

“This will also contribute to the regeneration of Omagh town and enable people to choose to live locally which will help grow the local community and support the economy.”