‘Best in housing’ celebrated at CIH housing awards 2018

The awards, which first began in 2010, aim to recognise the outstanding people and many diverse housing organisations that make a real difference not only to housing, but to the lives of ordinary people and the communities in which they live.

A record number of over 300 people attended this year’s event, which was sponsored by Radius Housing, with all award winners - with the exception of best housing story, which was chosen by public vote - decided by an independent panel of expert independent judges from across the housing industry.

Nicola McCrudden, CIH director for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, said: “Our annual awards recognise the amazing work being done to support people with housing needs, across our many diverse communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“Housing is an incredibly challenging sector, and particularly so with the political situation and budget pressures in Northern Ireland. But housing professionals persevere and carry out work that is fundamental to people’s lives. It is vital to celebrate the contribution the sector makes to society.

“As always, the standard was incredibly high and the judges spent a lot of time choosing the overall winners from each category; this is a measure of the amount of great work being done across the sector.”

Big wins for housing organisations

The CIH Housing Awards recognises the best housing projects across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This year, a number of housing associations and organisations, were amongst this year’s winners.

The full list of winners at this year's CIH Housing Awards is as follows:

• Best housing development, sponsored by the Housing Agency:
  
  (i) small development
  North Queen Street Belfast - Apex Housing Association and Newington Housing Association
  
  (ii) large development
  Clon Elagh, Derry - Apex Housing Association

• Best housing story, sponsored by Circle Voluntary Housing Association:
  Ffrenchmullen House, Charlemont Street - Dublin City Council, in partnership with Túath Housing

• Excellence in customer service, sponsored by BW Homes and Construction:
  Excellence in customer service - Connswater Homes

• Excellence in health and wellbeing:
  Hosford Health and Wellbeing projects - East Belfast Mission

• Excellence in residential lettings:
  Pinpoint Property

• Exceptional contribution by a CIH member, supported by CIH:
  Niall Sheridan - Choice Housing

• Housing hero, sponsored by Mills Selig:
  Kathleen Aspel Mortimer

• Housing team of the year, sponsored by PiLON:
  The new business team - Túath Housing

• More than bricks and mortar, sponsored by Clanmil Housing:
  Peadar Kearney House - Circle Voluntary Housing Association

• Promoting equality, sponsored by Mills Selig:
  Intergenerational project - Ark Housing Association

• Working in partnership, sponsored by Co-Ownership Housing:
  Dublin Housing First - Focus Ireland

• Young professional of the year, sponsored by Choice Housing:
  Martin Downey - Radius Housing Association

-ENDS-

For more information please contact Edel Hughes, events producer on 028 9077 8222 or edel.hughes@cih.org.

Notes to editors:

1. The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards. Our goal is simple – to provide housing professionals with the advice, support and knowledge they need to be brilliant. CIH is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. This means that the money we make is put back into the organisation and funds the activities we carry out to support the housing sector. We have a diverse membership of people who work in both the public and private sectors, in 20 countries on five continents across the world.