News

Social Development Minister. Margaret Ritchie MLA, has paid tribute to the work of Dungannon and District Housing Association at a dinner on Wednesday 12 November to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Congratulating them on their work to date the Minister said: "As a rural dweller myself, I know all too well the challenges and hardships faced by those living in the countryside.
"It is now always easy working in the communities you choose to serve and I applaud you for being prepared to address the complex housing problems faced by the people of Mid Ulster and West Tyrone, rather than simply taking the easy way out.
"When you first started to build house in Eglish, Coalisland and Coagh all those years ago, you motto was 'to provide good quality housing for families on low incomes'. That remains as valid an aspiration today as it was all those years ago and I commend you for your early vision and commitment to helping the working poor."
The Minister concluded by saying: "The challenge for the next 40 years will undoubtedly be very different from the challenges of the last 40, but if the past is any indicator of the future, then you have a very bright one indeed."
Dungannon and District Housing Association is one of 34 registered Housing Association in Northern Ireland, including NI Co-Ownership Housing Association Ltd.
It was founded in 1968 and has grown to over 400 units in the Dungannon Cookstown area comprising general family housing, sheltered housing for the elderly, special needs housing and shared housing for young people leaving care.

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday 19 November 2008