The Alliance Housing Spokesperson Anna Lo has said that the party would deliver more mixed housing and related action to encourage more areas to sign up to the Shared Neighbourhood Programme.

She said this would improve community relations and tackle segregation which the middle-of-the road party claimed costs NI £1bn annually.

South Belfast Alliance Representative Anna Lo said: "Alliance will work to deliver more mixed housing developments and creating more shared neighbourhoods. It is vital that there is a strong plan of action to deliver more shared neighbourhoods right across Northern Ireland.

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"Having people from all backgrounds living side by side helps greatly to improve community relations," she said.

"You simply cannot underestimate the impact of the issue of housing in relation to building a shared future," she continued.

Speaking just over a day before the polls open on Thursday, she said: "We would make a law ensuring that the NI Housing Executive actively promotes and facilitates mixed housing. We will also work to encourage more areas to sign up to the shared neighbourhoods programme to help tackle division.

"Segregation costs our society £1bn every year. That is an unnecessary burden which we simply cannot cope with, particularly at this difficult time for public finances. It makes sense to tackle division and that's why we make the issue our top priority."

(GK/BMcC)