28 May 2026
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has urged the Communities Minister to make progress on plans to tackle homelessness.
The Department for Communities latest Housing Bulletin showed homelessness increased by 1,693 (5%) households from the same period last year.
Social housing waiting lists now stand at 50,381 households.
Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said:
“It has become accepted that every time we see a new set of housing figures the situation around social housing waiting lists, homelessness and the cost of buying and renting a home only gets higher. In the Derry and Strabane area alone we have seen an increase in homelessness of 104% in the last decade. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to these figures, behind every single one of them is a family who is struggling to get a roof over their heads.
“We recognise the housing situation will not be resolved overnight, but despite Executive bluster next to no progress has been made. The SDLP proposed a number of interventions including the use of public land, but despite warm words from the Minister on this, purchasing 600 properties for the Housing Executive to reduce the huge temporary housing spend and intermediate rent options, we are no further forward.
“The Executive has fallen far short its promises to address the housing crisis and the situation has only gotten worse since Stormont’s return. The Minister is set to miss his own meagre housing target by the end of this mandate and without an intervention the situation is only going to get worse and worse putting real strain on families who want a home to call their own.”
ENDS