Public consultation on new housing legislation has been launched by the Northern Ireland Housing Minister.

Margaret Ritchie said the document sets out plans for cutting the fuel bills of social housing tenants.

It has been designed to offer greater choice to homeless households and improve regulation of the private rented sector.

New measures have also been unveiled to tackle anti-social behaviour.

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"Despite very difficult financial circumstances, I am on course to build more social housing than at any time over the last decade," said Minister Ritchie.

She said her department has also increased the number of sites for Shared Future housing.

"Many of these successes have been achieved using the existing body of housing law," said the Minister.

"However, even more can be done by changing the law in key areas."

She continued: "For example, my proposals on fuel poverty would provide the Housing Executive and housing associations with new powers to broker energy at a discounted price for their tenants."

This could lead to falling fuel bills for many of the province's poorest families at a time of volatile energy prices.

(PR/KMcA)