Linda Watson: £260k in COVID-19 funding for groups vital right now

Housing Executive Patch Manager Paula Maguire (left) and Neighbourhood Officer Karly King, pictured with Central Housing Forum Chair Linda Watson (right), distributing essential supplies to tenants in Derry.

Ms. Watson, who is also a co-ordinator of the Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group in Derry, said the money would help communities respond to the emergency on the ground.

The new funding is being allocated by the Housing Executive (NIHE) to help people cope with the coronavirus crisis.

It has been revealed that 33 separate groups in the NIHE West area and a further 16 groups in the Causeway region have applied for a share of the quarter-of-a-million pounds.

The CHF chair said: “This financial support from the Housing Executive is very welcome.

“It will provide a lifeline for groups operating at the coal face of our communities across Northern Ireland and will ensure that vital work protecting local vulnerable people will continue.

“The community response to COVID-19 has been overwhelming and I commend the Housing Executive for being so supportive and responsive.

“Together we can ensure that no one in our community gets left behind and that we all emerge from this crisis together as a united community.”

Colm McQuillan, Director of Housing Services for the NIHE, explained; “During COVID-19, we are linking with many community groups via our Good Morning phone call service.

“Our Patch Managers and other staff members are regularly checking up on vulnerable tenants in isolation by telephone.

“Many of these groups are helping provide a connection with the wider community and are reducing social isolation for those being asked to stay in their homes.

“Some community groups are delivering food to people’s houses, others are arranging pharmacy services and the provision of medicines but - probably most importantly - they are giving residents a link to the outside world and a listening ear if they need it.

“This fund aims to provide immediate financial support to enable these activities to continue and to help groups to operate in what is the most challenging environment any of us have ever witnessed.”

The NIHE has already received 147 applications from community groups from across the north for share of the COVID-19 Response Fund.

The housing body is currently working through the applications and letters of offer for funding will be issued to successful applicants, in line with compliance guidelines, as soon as possible.