Northern Ireland

Protesters picket Victoria Housing Estates office over condition of homes

Members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down
Members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down Members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down
By Claire Simpson

DOZENS of people have picketed the offices of a troubled housing charity to complain about the condition of their homes.

SDLP assembly member Tim Attwood, Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey and People Before Profit councillor Matt Collins joined members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association to protest outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down yesterday morning.

Joby Fox, chairman of the association, has said some tenants' homes are in serious disrepair and are plagued by damp.

The charity is owed more than £12 million by businessman Derek Tughan.

READ MORE:

  • Homes owned by troubled housing charity have 'fallen into disrepair'
  • Trustee 'lent £13 million of charity money to companies'

An investigation by the Charity Commission, published last week, found that the former VHE trustee lent £13m to companies in which he had an interest.

More than £12m has never been repaid.

VHE chief executive Dawn Purvis said last week that it has introduced a new repair programme but it will take £21m to bring the charity's homes up to a decent standard.

Tenants protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates in Holywood, Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann
Tenants protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates in Holywood, Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann Tenants protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates in Holywood, Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann
Members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann
Members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann Members of Riverdale and Finaghy Tenants' Association protesting outside Victoria Housing Estates (VHE) in Holywood, Co Down. Picture by Mal McCann
Riverdale resident Steven Lavery shows the state of disrepair of his home. Picture by Mal McCann
Riverdale resident Steven Lavery shows the state of disrepair of his home. Picture by Mal McCann Riverdale resident Steven Lavery shows the state of disrepair of his home. Picture by Mal McCann