Radius Housing appointed the contractor for the £3million development at Hopewell Crescent.
The 18 new homes are part of the Building Successful Communities Programme which is a housing-led regeneration project led by the Department for Communities.
The homes, 14 houses and 4 apartments, will be developed on vacant land which was previously owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The project received planning permission from Belfast City Council in March 2020.
The Building Successful Communities Programme seeks to use housing-led regeneration as a catalyst for change in six areas characterised by significant social and economic deprivation. 50% of the development is funded by the Department for Communities, with 50% through private finance raised by Radius Housing.
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The Department for Communities consulted with key stakeholders working within the local area, including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Belfast City Council and members of the local community, to develop an action plan for regeneration of the area. The plan identified Hopewell as a key area for regeneration, with the housing provision on the open space in Hopewell Crescent being one of four catalyst projects. The subsequent proposal by Radius to develop 18 new homes will see the transformation of redundant open space to meet local social housing need.
John McLean, Chief Executive at Radius Housing, said: "Radius Housing is delighted to begin construction of these 18 new homes at Hopewell Crescent with MJ McBride. This is an important project which will not only provide high-quality new homes and address local housing need, but which will also assist with the wider physical and social regeneration of the area and the surrounding community."
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey said: "This is a hugely welcome development for the Lower Shankill with work starting immediately on new homes and the potential for greater regeneration in the area. I commend all those involved for supporting the local community in such a collaborative and constructive manner."
