Local Housing Executive offices in Derry to close

Housing Executive staff in Derry have been informed the organisation is planning to close all of its offices in the city.

The offices in question are Collon Terrace, Waterloo Place, Richmond Chambers and Waterside. 

Staff from these offices will be relocated to Carlisle House in Derry city centre; The Derry News understands Housing Executive staff were not consulted prior to the internal announcement on April 9. 

Speaking to The Derry News, an affected employee, who wished to remain anonymous,  said the closure of all the local offices would have a “devastating impact on local community and services”.

“On April 9, we were officially advised all of the Housing Executive offices in Derry would be closed and we would be relocated to Carlisle House - an interface area in the city centre.”

Carlisle House in Derry city centre where all Housing Executive staff and services are being relocated.

They added: “The Collon Terrace district office provides a front-line service for tenants in Coshquin, Ballymagroarty, Hazelbank, Galliagh, Carnhill, Shantallow, Ballynagard, Culmore and Belmont areas; there are approximately 2,500 properties are serviced that office and its staff.  

“It is at the heart of the community, providing vital services. The closure of this local office will have a detrimental impact on the surrounding communities, as its services include, advice  on anti-social behaviour complaints; housing benefit; accounts; schemes; transfers; sign-ups; homeless cases; change of tenancies; maintenance; and universal credit  

“The previous removal of housing and homeless services for applicants had a negative impact because customers have had to travel to Waterloo place to avail of such services,  when we should be, as it was previously, a one stop shop for all.

“The area serviced by the Housing Executive’s Collon Terrace district office comprises vulnerable, socially deprived, ageing and Travelling communities. The relocation of the office will result in these tenants having to travel some distance, including the cost of such travel during a cost-of-living crisis, to access vital services,” said the staff member.

They also pointed out that many of the affected Housing Executive customers and staff members have a range of physical disabilities.

They added: “This will prove a challenge for them accessing vital services at the new location, which is also in an area with limited parking, steep inclines from Foyle Street Bus Station and only two disabled bays. 

“It is the belief of staff that tenants have the right to access our services in the local area hence the need for the district offices to remain open.

“It is also to be noted that tenants and local community groups have not been consulted regarding the closure of the office. The mantra of the housing executive is ‘Engaging, enabling and empowering our communities’ and this is not reflecting the values that the organisation claims to ‘hold .

“The reason given for this move is that the Buncrana Road has been vested for new road improvements. However, the road was vested approximately 35 years ago and there are no roadworks imminent. It is common public knowledge that any funding from Department for Infrastructure will be allocated to the forthcoming development of the A5 road to Aughnacloy, hence Buncrana Road improvements will certainly not proceed as a priority,” said the Housing Executive staff member, who added that tenants from the Nationalist community would be deterred from visiting the new location. 

“Parking for staff will also be a major  issue in the town, especially as a housing officer can be in and out a few times a day.”

A Housing Executive spokesperson told The Derry News: “In 2023, we committed to reviewing all our office accommodation across Northern Ireland over a 5-year period.

 “How our customers interact with us has changed significantly over recent years, with footfall figures falling by around 70% over 10 years.

 “We need to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our tenants, customers and people, while making the best use of tenant and public monies.

 “In June 2023 we consolidated our Lanyon and Adelaide Street offices in Belfast and we are currently finalising plans for our South Region.

 “We have also developed plans to consolidate our four offices in Derry into one central city centre location at Carlisle House.

 “We believe that Carlisle House best meets our needs, provides good access for tenants, customers and staff and enables us to bring all of our people and services together in one place within the City Centre.

 “A consultation exercise concerning these plans has now commenced.”