SDLP Foyleside councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr
She was speaking after Derry and Strabane councillors backed her motion calling for council to write to the Joint First Ministers calling on them to publish a programme for government, which includes a housing strategy.
She also called on council to reconvene its Civic Forum on Alcohol, Drugs, Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing, Suicide Prevention and Homelessness to discuss the housing crisis and make recommendations to the Department of Communities and Housing Executive.
Said the Foyleside councillor: “Issues around accessing housing in Derry and Strabane stretch back decades and the whole of Northern Ireland is currently in the midst of a severe housing crisis.
“People are currently struggling to access social housing, prices in the rental market are spiralling out of control and many young people are unable to save a deposit to get themselves on the housing ladder.
“These problems are acutely felt in Derry and Strabane which has high numbers of people presenting as homeless, on social housing waiting lists and experiencing housing stress.
“We simply don’t have the housing required to meet demand.
“I’m glad my fellow councillors backed my motion on this important issue. We need to see a programme for government from our Joint First Ministers which prioritises housing.
“Everyone has a right to a home they can be proud of and they are currently being let down by those responsible for our housing crisis.”
Tags: