Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has called on the Housing Minister Nelson McCausland to inform people what his strategy is for the future of the Housing Executive.

Fra McCann said: "There have been many rumours around the direction the Minister will take in deciding the future structure of the Housing Executive.

"A report delivered to the Minister some time ago recommended that the Housing Executive should be divided into separate organisations, one to deal with strategy and the other adopting the role of housing landlord, but it also mentioned the role of a possible regulator.

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"Whilst the report gives broad headings on what should happen to the Housing Executive it lacked substance and was vague when scrutinised as to the future role of the organisation."

"We believe the report lacks the substance to put flesh on the bones of the proposals being brought forward. Our concern would be that these proposals are gaining credibility with the Minister's department.

"The Housing Executive is an organisation that everybody agrees has done a good job over the past 40 years but if these proposals were accepted, it could disappear," he said.

"This would leave a huge void in the creation and management of social housing where we are already facing a crisis and removing the Housing Executive would only exacerbate the problem.

"It is now time for straight talking and for the Minister to lay out his plans for the future of the organisation."

(GK)