Oaklee Housing Trust
Oaklee Housing Trust is celebrating its 10th anniversary today with President of Ireland Mary McAleese who originally launched the Housing Trust in 2001.
Oaklee is celebrating its rich history in the provision of quality housing throughout Ireland. In 10 years, Oaklee Housing Trust has created 400 new households and invested over €60 million in 9 counties meeting various types of housing needs.
To mark this significant anniversary, Oaklee Housing Trust has published a book; ‘Creating Communities’ which depicts how through co-operation and partnerships across borders Oaklee has been able to provide housing for the most vulnerable in society.
Speaking at the anniversary Frank Feely Chairperson of Oaklee Housing Trust said: “Today we are celebrating Oaklee Housing Trust’s 10th anniversary in social housing provision. The Trust is a key partner organisation of Oaklee Homes Group and we will continue to build upon our success throughout Ireland.
The launch of the 10th Anniversary book ‘Creating Communities’ reflects what the Trust is truly about; the people we serve and the improvement in quality of life and housing. Today is also an opportunity to mark the development of social housing and its very significant role in society and to recognise the important relationships between housing associations and the Government, local authorities and representative bodies.
Oaklee Housing Trust in common with all engaged in social housing faces many economic and social challenges, but through innovation and growth, I feel Oaklee is well placed to meet these challenges and continue to be a leading provider of quality customer focused housing and support services in Ireland.”
To request a copy of Oaklee Housing Trust 10th Anniversary Book – Creating Communities please contact the Oaklee Services Centre on 1890 886226.
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Notes to Editor
The 10th Anniversary of Oaklee Housing Trust will be held at Oaklee’s Head Office, James’s Street, Dublin on Tuesday 18th January at 11am. Members of the media are welcome and photo opportunities will be available. Mr. Ian Elliott and Mr. Frank Feely will also be available for interview at this event.
Oaklee Housing Trust Oaklee Housing Trust was established and registered in 2001, awarded Voluntary Housing Status by the Department of the Environment and is a member of the Irish Council for Social Housing.
The Trust aims to meet a wide variety of housing needs in Ireland with experience and commitment, providing accommodation for single people, families and those with special needs.
For additional information about the 10th Anniversary of Oaklee Housing Trust and the launch of the anniversary book ‘Creating Communities’. Please contact Jenny Sharp at +442890441380 or by e-mail jennys@oaklee.org.uk.
Visit the Oaklee Housing Trust website at www.oaklee.ie
Oaklee Holds Its First Energy Week
Press Release - 26th April 2010
Oaklee Homes Group, as one of the leading social housing providers in Northern Ireland, is pleased to announce its first Energy Week being held from 26th – 30th April. This presents an opportunity to bring together different housing associations, contractors and Oaklee employees for seminars, events and group discussions on energy and environmental topics, to help raise awareness of issues which can ultimately assist our tenants. Oaklee have also launched its involvement in the government’s Cycle To Work initiative, in which Oaklee staff can gain the benefit of tax free bicycles.
Mrs Sylvia Doran Chairperson of Oaklee Homes Group said “We are delighted today to launch Oaklee Energy Week, which highlights Oaklee’s dedication to saving energy, money and the environment. If Oaklee are to continue to be the leading provider of quality customer focused housing and support services in Ireland then energy and environmental initiatives such as this are invaluable.”
Oaklee Homes Group is dedicated to saving energy, money and the environment. The Energy Week is one example of our continuous efforts to provide our services in an environmentally sensitive way and assist colleagues in the Department for Social Development and the NI Housing Executive to address fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. During the week there will be presentations from a number of speakers from local companies, colleges and environmental agencies.
For further information on Oaklee’s Energy Week, visit Oaklee’s website (www.oaklee.org.uk).
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Notes to Editor
1. Oaklee Energy Week will be held from 26th – 30th April at Oaklee Homes Group, 37 – 41 May Street, Belfast, BT1 4DN.
2. The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Naomi Long will officially open Oaklee Energy Week on Monday 26th April, at 10am. Members of the media are welcome and photo opportunities will be available. Mr Ian Elliot Oaklee Group Chief Executive will also be available for interview at this event.
3. Oaklee Homes Group is a voluntary non-profit organisation, which provides and manages quality social housing, care and support services to meet a wide range of needs. These include sheltered housing for older people, general family housing, mature singles and also people with special needs.
4. For additional information about Oaklee Energy Week, please contact Jenny Sharp at (028) 90441380 or by e-mail jennys@oaklee.org.uk.
5. Visit the Oaklee Homes Group at www.oaklee.org.uk.
Oaklee Homes Group launches 30th anniversary book and new group structure at Stormont.
Press Release - 24th March, 2010
L-R Don Anderson Author of Oaklee’s 30th Anniversary Book, Sylvia Doran Group Chairperson of Oaklee Homes Group, Minister Margaret Ritchie, Ian Elliott Group Chief Executive of Oaklee Homes Group.
Oaklee Homes Group have launched a 30th Anniversary book today at Parliament Buildings to celebrate its rich history in the provision of delivering affordable housing throughout Ireland. The launch of the book also coincides with the launch of Oaklee Homes Group, the new name for Oaklee Housing Association.
The book depicts the journey of Oaklee over the last 30 years through social and political developments in our society, the changing design of sheltered and family housing and the creative ways of funding these initiatives.
Speaking at the launch Margaret Ritchie said: ‘Oaklee is one of our leading housing providers, delivering homes for rent and sale across the island of Ireland.
‘I have seen at first hand the marvellous work carried out by this award winning organisation and am delighted to have been given the opportunity to acknowledge Oaklee’s contribution to social housing over the past 30 years.
‘This publication deservedly highlights the triumphs of Oaklee and although it necessarily focuses on one particular housing association, it also stands as tribute to all our housing associations.’
‘In 30 years, social housing in Northern Ireland, both Housing Executive and housing association, has improved beyond all recognition, leading the way for best practice across the UK and Ireland.’
After 30 years providing social housing, Oaklee have developed a group structure, which will be known as Oaklee Homes Group the new name for Oaklee Housing Association. This new group structure will support Oaklee to be the leading provider of quality customer focused housing and support services in Ireland.
Sylvia Doran, Chair of Oaklee Homes, said: ‘I am delighted that Oaklee Homes Group is being launched at the same time as we celebrate 30 years of social housing provision.’
‘The group includes all aspects of our services, including the management and development of our housing, the provision of care services, the reserve bank of staff to maintain services and the opportunities to create wider housing choice through build for sale. In addition, Oaklee Housing Trust in the Republic of Ireland remains a key partner in this process and will help us build on our success throughout Ireland.’
‘It is an exciting time for both Oaklee and the social housing movement generally and I am naturally pleased that Oaklee Homes Group will continue to be a market leader in meeting need.’
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1. The new Oaklee Housing Group comprises Oaklee Housing (building for rent in Northern Ireland); Oaklee Housing Trust (building for rent in the Republic of Ireland); Oaklee Enterprises (building for sale); Oaklee Care and Support Services (care management); Oaklee Employment Services (staffing resources).
2. Oaklee Housing is one of 32 housing associations registered with the Department for Social Development. It manages some 4,500 homes throughout Northern Ireland in sheltered accommodation, family housing and specialist care schemes. Oaklee Housing Trust in the Repuplic of Ireland manages about 500 homes.
3. James Butcher and NIH Housing Associations were registered with the Department in 1976, following the Housing Order of that year which introduced registered housing associations to grant funding to provide social housing. In 1992, both organisations amalgamated to form Oaklee Housing Association. In 2000, Oaklee Housing Trust was registered as a voluntary housing body in the Republic of Ireland. In March 2010, Oaklee Housing Group was formulated.
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Oaklee wins Cross Border Housing Award at CIH Awards
Oaklee Homes Group are delighted to have won the Cross Border Housing Award at the glittering Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Awards ceremony in Belfast.
The achievements and success of housing professionals across Northern Ireland were recognised by CIH Northern Ireland’s first ever Housing Awards on 25th February at the Culloden Estate and Spa.
The prestigious Cross Border Housing Award was presented by Minister Margaret Ritchie from the Department for Social Development and Minister Michael Finneran from the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government.
Oaklee Group Chief Executive Ian Elliott said:
“Oaklee Homes Group has long been aware that poverty, disadvantage, disability and homelessness recognise no national boundaries. Building on our success in Northern Ireland, in 2001 Oaklee Housing Trust was formed in the Republic of Ireland with the aim of extending Oaklee’s remit to address social and physical disadvantage across the whole of the Island of Ireland. With a vision for meeting the needs of disadvantaged people across the whole of Ireland, Oaklee will continue to develop strategies, partnerships and funding proposals that will transcend national boundaries.”
Mr Frank Feely Chairperson of the Trust said that,
“Oaklee are delighted to win this esteemed award, which is testament to Oaklee’s hard work and dedication in delivering its vision of delivering affordable housing to the whole island of Ireland.”
