SINN Féin Foyle MLA Elisha McCallion has voiced concern at proposed cuts to Supporting People Programmes.
Ms McCallion said: “Supporting People Programmes provide support to assist people to live independently in the community in a residential setting.
“This includes help and support to people with disabilities, older people and young vulnerable people to name a few.
“I have been contacted by Programme providers who are anxious about the future of the service.
“They have informed me that the Housing Executive has recently been advised by the Department for Communities (DfC) to plan for a 5% overall reduction in its funding for the 2017/18 financial year.
“Providers understand that the Housing Executive have decided to defer the cuts initially but reduce funding to projects such as Supporting People Programmes by 6.5% in the near future.
“I am calling on the Housing Executive to reconsider its proposals and to live up to its responsibility to support community projects.
“Supporting People Programmes is one of the most successful community projects’ serving communities.
“I believe that the HE if minded to do so could find the required finance through efficiencies in other areas of its structures that does not directly impact on essential community programmes.”
