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Community Constituency Council Education Government Health Housing Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics Stormont Westminster

Locals First Initiative: Our Opposition Is to Government Policy, NOT Migrant Workers or Those From Different Backgrounds!

Statement: In recent months, Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance have attempted to portray the Locals First Initiative as being opposed to immigrant workers and people from different backgrounds. That claim is simply untrue. Our position has been consistent from the very beginning. We stand for the people of Newry, Mourne and Down—regardless of their […]

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Community Politics Newry Constituency Newry and Armagh Housing

Locals First Initiative Demands Urgent Action on Housing Crisis

Northern Ireland is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, with almost 50,000 households currently waiting for a social home and thousands more trapped in temporary accommodation. The latest figures paint a stark picture of growing housing demand, rising homelessness, and increasing pressure on already stretched public services. At the end of 2025, there were 49,755 households […]

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Community Government Housing Stormont

Older Residents Offered Help With Rent and Rates

Older people across NI are being asked to check if they could receive help with housing costs, including rent or rates, through the Housing Benefit scheme. Administered by the Housing Executive, help is available to pension-age customers who are finding it difficult to meet essential household costs, particularly those living on fixed or lower incomes. […]

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Community Housing

Eleven Years of Recognising Rural Heroes

Laughter, connection and true community spirit were in abundance at our heart-warming 11th annual Housing Executive Rural Community Awards ceremony. Held in The Seamus Heaney Homeplace in Bellaghy, Co Derry/Londonderry and supported by the Rural Community Network and the Northern Ireland Housing Council, the event celebrated the dedication of rural groups and individuals in improving […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Housing Newry Newry and Armagh

Cost of Renting In Newry, Mourne and Down Up 53% Since 2020

The cost of renting a home in Newry, Mourne and Down has increased by 53% since the start of the Covid pandemic, new research from PropertyPal reveals today. The average rent on a residential property in the borough was £567 in Q1 2020 and had increased to £867 at the end of 2025, according to […]

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Community Constituency Housing Newry Newry and Armagh

Newry Residents Beat Winter Blues With Walk and Talk

Members of St Mary’s Youth & Community Association in Newry have been building local connections and getting active thanks to a funding boost from the Housing Executive. The group received a £1110 Community Cohesion grant to plan a 9 mile walk along the Greenway route from Carlingford towards Newry. Afterwards, the group enjoyed lunch together […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Housing

Housing Executive Announces Rent Increase

The Housing Executive has announced its annual rent increase. From 6th April, 2026, rents will increase by 4.8% – this equates to an increase of £3.94 on the average weekly rent, which is currently £82.04, excluding rates. All tenants will be contacted over the next few weeks to advise of their new rent charges and what […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Housing Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Westminster

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes Welcomes £8m Investment In Social Housing Retrofits

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has welcomed the announcement that over £8 million will be invested into upgrading 600 homes across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon area, Commenting, the Newry and Armagh MP said: “I welcome this significant investment by Arbour Housing which will deliver real, tangible improvements for hundreds of families across our […]

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Community Government Housing Politics Stormont

Sinn Fein Welcomes Funding For New Social Homes

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has welcomed today’s budget allocation of £29.8 million for new social homes.  The party’s communities spokesperson said: “I welcome today’s announcement of an additional budget allocation of £29.8 million by the Finance Minister for new social homes. This reiterates Sinn Féin’s commitment to social housing and builds on the Finance Minister’s additional […]

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Community Constituency Housing Newry Newry and Armagh

House Prices In Newry, Mourne and Down Rise by 8.1%

PropertyPal Northern Ireland Housing Market Update Q3 2025 Northern Ireland’s housing market remained robust through the third quarter of 2025, with growth in both prices and sales volumes compared to long-term trends, according to PropertyPal’s latest report. House prices in Newry, Mourne and Down grew by 8.1% in the year (vs Q3 2024), with the […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Housing Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont

Minister Announces New Enforcement Guidance to Tackle Unadopted Private Developments

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced the introduction of enhanced enforcement procedures to ensure roads infrastructure in new developments is adopted into the public road network. Minister Kimmins said: “Earlier this year I gave a commitment to the Assembly to provide updated guidance to staff in an effort to reduce the risk of new developments […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Housing Infrastructure Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

New Guidance to Tackle Unfinished Roads In Housing Developments Welcomed – Boylan

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed the publication of revised guidance by the Infrastructure Minister to stop new housing developments being left with unfinished roads, footpaths and streetlights. The new guidance sets a clear point for when enforcement will begin and is backdated to developments with bonds from 1 January 2024. Mr Boylan, a […]