SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has reacted to information that almost 800 residential properties are empty in the L'Derry City Council area, by calling on the Minister for Social Development to instigate a process to investigate how properties can be utilised to address the housing crisis.

Mr Ramsey said: "I asked the Minister of Finance how many properties have been listed as empty since October 2011, and I was shocked to be informed that 754 homes are empty in the Derry City Council area. In total throughout the North, there are 22,392 residential properties lying empty. Every effort should be being made by the Executive to seek to utilise these properties for social housing.

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"While not advocating forced purchases, the Executive should be investigating how they can enter into discussions with landlords to seek the properties to be brought back into use immediately based on an affordable and fair agreement for prospective tenants who may be waiting on the Housing Executive lists for a long period of time.

"Occupancy is not the only issue that needs to be addressed - we need to be ensuring that empty properties are up to health and safety standards so residents in adjoining properties are not adversely affected by them. In light of this, I will be asking Derry City Council to initiate a process of checking empty properties for health and safety compliance which may not only address any issues, but in bringing empty properties up to standard, may actually increase their ability to attract occupants."

(CD/MH)