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28 January 2011

A New Year’s resolution by the Housing Executive to encourage greater social integration within Northern Ireland’s housing sector has been boosted with the assistance of the EU’s PEACE III Programme.

Approximately 90% of social housing in Northern Ireland is still segregated into single identity communities – a figure which we are keen to tackle in 2011 through the ‘building relationships in communities’ (BRIC) project.

The project has received funding from PEACE III and is being delivered  through an innovative partnership approach involving the Rural Development Council (RDC), the Housing Executive and the specialist community relations organization TIDES Training.

The primary objective for the four year project is to promote good relations and community cohesion in our estates.  The project will achieve this by empowering our staff to develop a new approach founded on the principles of integration, tolerance and mutual respect.

Our Head of Community Cohesion, Jennifer Hawthorne, said, "The Housing Executive is beginning 2011 with a new commitment to embed Good Relations into every aspect of our work. The BRIC project will be a key tool in taking this forward, as, together with our partner organizations, we support and encourage local people to promote neighbourliness and inclusivity in all aspects of community life.”

• Find out more about the BRIC project