SDLP Social Development spokesperson, Mark H Durkan, has expressed anger over the DSD minister's proposals for the June Monitoring Round.

Nelson McCausland's funding bid involves the allocation of £22m to 'affordable housing' but no money at all to building new social housing.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: "Given the huge need for social housing, with almost 20,000 families in Northern Ireland registered as homeless or in housing stress, it is unbelievable that the minister does not see the need to build more homes.

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"While co-ownership and affordable housing schemes are certainly welcome, the fact is that those in the most need will never be in a position to avail of these schemes.

"The Minister seems to have accepted that the dearth of social housing will make the bedroom tax unworkable here yet he continues to ignore any chance to provide more.

"This is the second time in recent monitoring rounds that he has favoured the alleged demand for affordable housing over the obvious need for social housing.

"It is fairly obvious what his priorities are and people on the lower rungs of the social ladder clearly are not among them."

(CD)