Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - A New Year’s resolution by the Housing Executive

01 February 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.

Aproximately 90% of social housing in Northern Ireland is still segregated into single identity communities – a figure which the Housing Executive is 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 Housing Executive estates. The project will achieve this by empowering the Housing Executive staff to develop a new approach founded on the principles of integration, tolerance and mutual respect.

Speaking on behalf of the Housing Executive, Jennifer Hawthorne, Head of Community Cohesion, 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.”