SDLP's Social Development Spokesperson has said action must be taken within the Programme for Government to assist struggling home owners.

After tabling an Assembly Question to the Social Development Minister, it was revealed to Mark H Durkan MLA that house repossessions have almost trebled between 2008 and 2011.

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Mr Durkan said: "Given the serious and deeply worrying number of repossessions over the past three years, I dread to think what the figures will be like this year.

"There needs to be action taken in the Programme for Government to assist home owners, such as with a mortgage relief scheme.

"Otherwise the social and financial cost will be huge with homelessness soaring and family breakdown a likely side effect.

"The tenancy rights of people must also be addressed. In too many cases private tenants are left homeless and without their deposit being returned when a landlord has their house repossessed."

(CD/GK)