In wake of bedroom tax - MLA demands more social housing

Robin Swann issued his appeal after successfully asking Minister Nelson McCausland to provide him to detail the number of schemes to be developed in North Antrim over the next three years.

He was told that a five-unit Triangle Housing Association scheme for people with learning disablities at Cushendall Road, Ballymena, was scheduled for 2013-14.

Mr Swann said: “There are markers for 2015/16 for both learning disability and mental health resettlements in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) area (each 20 units), however, there is no indication at this stage as to where exactly they might be.”

Mr Swann said he wanted the minister to give a cast iron guarantee that in spite of the economic downturn, the money would still be forthcoming for these schemes..“as the development of additional and suitable housing is the only way that many families will be able to offset the proposed and possibly crippling ‘bedroom tax’ that is currently in the DUP Minister’s Welfare Reform proposals.”

Mr Swann also called on the Minister to ensure that there will be “substantial progress” on social housing for Ballymena and asked for details of double glazing/window replacement schemes yet to get underway.

He was told 268 properties are included in Ballymena double glazing Phase Two which is currently programmed for February 2014 including properties in Dunclug, Harryville, Glarryford, Slatt/Straid, Kells, Moorfields/Glenwherry, Tullygarley and Dunvale.

“I urge the minister to ensure this programme remains on schedule,” he said.