For the past-two-and-a-half years, some basic home comforts have been hard to come by for Ruari Morgan.
A fire in the backup generator of his old stone cottage on Rathlin Island left him without electricity, heating or hot water.
Now he’s enjoying the simple pleasures of being able to come home and put the kettle on or have a shower after he moved in to a new social home two weeks ago.
The development of 10 social houses is the first on the island for more than a decade and it is hoped it will allow the unique community to sustain its population and provide a boost to its economy.
Rathlin is a small island off the north east coast of Northern Ireland, between Northern Ireland and Scotland, with a population of about 150 people.
Morgan, who was born and bred on the island and returned 15 years ago after living and working abroad, said social housing created more opportunities for islanders to come home.
“Obviously the more accommodation and the more affordable accommodation on the island is a good thing,” he said.
“It’s not always about encouraging new people to come to the island – which we do of course – but it’s about making life here sustainable for the people who live here and have a connection to the island.”
Morgan had been on the waiting list for four years before being allocated the property.
“I travel quite a lot and I volunteer abroad, but Rathlin’s my base, this is my home,” he said.
“We have a really good community here and it’s not only people who have a lifelong connection…it’s a nice mix.”
