Housing Executive boss told of ‘horror show’ workmanship to local homes

A Newry councillor has raised concerns over “horror show” workmanship being carried out at Housing Executive homes.

Cllr Charlie Casey (SF), who is a former Housing Executive board member, made his stark criticism at a special presentation meeting at the council on Monday night.

The Housing Executive detailed its future plan to the local authority, adding it has a stock of over 5,200 houses in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.

Councillors were told the Executive ran up maintenance costs last year of £9.46m in Northern Ireland

However, despite the significant spend, CEO of the Executive, Grainne Long was told of worrying incidents including kitchen paper being used to support broken tile roofs as well as a local families suffering chest infections aggravated by overgrown mould on walls.

Cllr Casey said: “The general maintenance of the Housing Executive is just not up to scratch. Some of the stories I am being told are like a horror show.

“You have a team of maintenance workers turning up to a roof problem at a house without a roofer. Then they send a man up the ladder who puts kitchen roll under a tile on the roof, thinking that will solve the problem.

“You have tenants with children having regular chest infections due to build-ups of mould and nothing is being done about it.

“There are a number of constituents in the same way including a double glazing programme not being run out yet ahead of an energy crisis and they are very upset and annoyed.

“You also have areas of land where grass is cut and all the cuttings are left behind for children to be throwing about and bringing into homes ruining carpets. It’s not good enough.”

The Housing Executive told the council it would have to “hold our hands up” to the grass cutting matters with “new contractors” in view and would look into other issues raised.

Ms Long responded: “There is no question that during Covid we faced upward costs. We have stringent targets to be meeting.

“We want to hear if maintenance workers are not doing their jobs. We will follow up on the specific issues raised.”