North Belfast has seen its share of problems over the last 30 years, the Limestone Road area being one of the flashpoints. The Society of St.Vincent de Paul in Belfast, is working with the Newington Housing Association and Community Group and the Tiger Bay Community to prevent the area sliding into what has been described locally as “slum housing.” Most of the housing in the area was built in the early 1900s and the Northern Ireland Department of Social Housing is, following local pressure, examining proposals to improve housing conditions for all residents in the community.
The SVP has called for the purchase by the Government of a new apartment block on the Limestone Road, which has been lying idle due to the present economic situation, in order to provide housing for those who need it.