Northern Ireland landlords complete merger

Newington Housing Association now forms part of the 4,600-home Apex group, through which it will gain ‘expertise and support in finance, personnel and procurement’, a joint statement issued to Inside Housing this week said.

Newington, which manages 500 homes, will take on 231 properties from Apex across five sites in North Belfast. An ‘inter-group agreement’ will allow both landlords to retain separate boards but to collaborate on ‘strategic matters.’

George Walsh, board chair at Newington, said: ‘This not only strengthens us as an organisation but, more importantly, enhances the contribution we can make towards meeting social housing need and supporting communities.

‘The Apex group structure framework means we will retain our identity and status – that is important for us and our tenants – and it will enable us to realise better efficiencies.’

Neither organisation was able to confirm how much money is likely to be saved due to the merger.

Newington said that the security of tenancies and rents will not be affected and that tenants had been consulted ahead of the new relationship being agreed.

Martin Doherty, board chair at Apex, said: ‘By enhancing the financial standing of the group through the inclusion of Newington, Apex will be able to increase its social housing output throughout Northern Ireland while, at the same time, help Newington to grow.’

Newington officially became part of the Apex group as of April 6.

Newington was formed in 1975 at a time when sectarian violence along the Limestone Road area of North Belfast was a significant issue for the district. The organisation has worked on transforming and redeveloping the area over the last four decades.