SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Minister Margaret Ritchie will today announce a scheme to support shared housing schemes.
The scheme, supported by the International Fund for Ireland, will see the development of 30 shared housing schemes across Northern Ireland over the next three years.
The Shared Neighbourhood Programme will be managed by the Housing Executive, the social housing agency, and will work with existing communities to develop 30 integrated neighbourhoods.
It will cost almost £1 million (€1.26 million), with the International Fund for Ireland providing £698,000 (€885,400).
Money will support community organisations to celebrate diversity and bring together people, from all backgrounds, who live in these areas.
Five housing areas across Northern Ireland have already committed to participating in the Programme: Springfarm in Antrim, Lissize in Rathfriland, Knockmore/Tonagh in Lisburn, Gortview/Killybrack Close in Omagh and Ballynafeigh in Belfast. It is anticipated that a further 25 areas will become involved in the next two years.
Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland Denis Rooney said: "The Shared Neighbourhood Programme acknowledges for the first time those communities who have been quietly working towards becoming genuinely shared spaces, often with little or no funding, and provides them with support to share their experiences, capture best practice and ensure that their work is sustained for future generations."
Ms Ritchie said: "Eight out of 10 people in the recent Life and Times survey highlighted that they would like to live in mixed areas. In addition to grants to run cultural awareness and community events, participating communities will benefit from community relations training, community consultations and support to design their own Neighbourhood Charter and deliver their own Good Relations programme."