CIH-NI Awards 2013
The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) is delighted with the nominations its members have received for this year’s Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland (CIH-NI)’s Awards.
Our members have been shortlisted in a number of competitive categories including, excellence in customer service, working together, sustainable development, effecting efficiencies and more than bricks and mortar. In addition there were nominations for individuals in the rising star and housing hero categories.
Housing associations strive to deliver above and beyond the accepted. We’re pleased both Fold and Ulidia Housing have received recognition for their part in achieving this by receiving a nomination in the Excellence in Customer Service category.
Sustainable Development of the Year is a category where judges sought nominations for developments which have made a substantial and sustainable contribution to their surrounding and community. Our members Oaklee Homes Group and Trinity Housing have been shortlisted for developments. Oaklee’s is for the first social ‘passive houses’ in Northern Ireland at Lisnahull Terrace, Dungannon whilst Trinity’s is for Cedar Court, Downpatrick, which caters for tenants with moderate to mild dementia.
In the Working Together category Clanmil Housing’s Savoy House Committee has been shortlisted for working with local political representatives and community groups to ensure The Savoy is a really good place to live with a packed programme of events/activities developing a real sense of community which has resulted in a marked improvement in tenant’s overall health and well being.
More than Bricks and Mortar seeks to recognise those organisations who have demonstrated commitment to tenant empowerment and to improving their opportunities for involvement. This year’s initiatives recognised with a nomination are Learning to Grow, Trinity Housing – a horticultural therapeutic project at our sheltered schemes - and the Community facilities and Common rooms provided by Habinteg.
As public funding and private finance become harder to access, the Effecting Efficiencies award seeks to find those individuals, teams and organisations who can demonstrate the steps they have taken to streamline their current work practices and generate savings as well as developing innovative ways to continue delivering value for money in the future. With this in mind Accord Procurement Group and Best Value Review of Operational Costs both through Fold Housing Association have received well-deserved nominations.
In the category of Housing Hero the judges were looking for individuals who have used committed and creative approaches to solve the housing issues they see around them in their workplace or community. We are delighted the following have received recognition for their work through a nomination...Eileen Askham of Alpha Housing, Margaret Cunningham from Habinteg and Teresa McDonough, also of Habinteg.
This year’s nominees for the Rising Star award include two from Fold Thomas Potter and Lynsay Magill. It recognises individuals with the potential to be future housing leaders, those who have brought ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to their role.
The 2013 Awards received the highest number of nominations ever and will be held on Thursday 28 February at Belfast City Hall. NIFHA wishes every success to all our members’ short-listed nominees. Their achievements are a reminder of the excellent work being undertaken by housing associations in Northern Ireland.
ENDS
