CIH hosts its eleventh Ireland awards evening

The Chartered Institute of Housing hosted its annual awards ceremony in Titanic Belfast to showcase and celebrate the work of housing professionals across the entirety of the island of Ireland.

More than 300 people attended the ceremony, which was sponsored by Radius Housing. Forty-nine nominees where shortlisted across eight categories.

Speaking after the event, CIH Northern Ireland director Justin Cartwright said:

“It was fantastic to see so many professionals from across the sector recognised for the work they do all year round; to see first-hand the dedication and determination of industry professionals’ work to improve the lives of their tenants.

“Now in its eleventh year, the standard of nominations for this year’s awards was high and continues to demonstrate the ongoing innovation within the housing sector right across the island. And where there is such a high standard of work it was no easy task for the awards judging panel to decide the finalists and the winners.

“Over the last three years the awards have taken place against a backdrop of political stagnation in Northern Ireland; the added stress on housing professionals having to navigate around growing pressures within the sector during this period was evident. Despite the sector still facing many steep hurdles there was a sense of relief that the Assembly, with a renewed focus on housing, had returned.”

When addressing the room, CIH chief executive Gavin Smart said:

“As I look around at the dedicated housing professionals in the room tonight, it’s not hard to picture the tens of thousands of lives that have been radically transformed across this island because of your daily commitment to put tenants and residents at the heart of everything you do. And for that, I want to say on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Housing, thank you, and keep going, you’re changing lives.”