Northern Ireland housing photos - 40 years of change
- Published
The photographs are published in a special anniversary edition of Housing News, the Housing Executive's magazine for tenants. In 1975, this home had no running hot water
In 1971, the Housing Executive assumed responsibility for providing social housing across Northern Ireland. Previously, various local trusts and councils had performed this role. This photo shows Roden Street in 1974
By the end of 1971 almost 80,000 homes had been transferred to the new organisation. Children play behind homes in Ligoniel in 1975
According to NIHE's Bill McGrath a survey completed in 1974 showed 40% of the entire population lived in housing that was unfit, in serious disrepair or which lacked basic amenities – and the situation was particularly bad in the private sector
A child at a security fence in Lenadoon estate, west Belfast 1973
As well as demolishing 70,000 unfit dwellings, the NIHE has carried out 100,000 major refurbishments. Here, Dromore Street in Banbridge is seen before its renovation in 1973
And here is the Banbridge street after its 1976 upgrade
By 2009, the NIHE said the percentage of social housing stock deemed 'unfit' was at just over 2%. Here, Armagh's Castle Street is seen in 1974 before work was carried out to improve it
And this is what Castle Street looked like in 1987
Dr John McPeake, chief executive of the Housing Executive said that much of the good work done by the organisation over the past 40 years was down to the work of its staff, but that work was far from over. "While it is great to acknowledge our achievements since 1971, we are focused on the work that still needs carried out. There is still an increasing waiting list for people requiring social housing and a growing number of our tenants living in fuel poverty," he said