Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed the latest figures from the Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin which were published today.

The Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin is produced each quarter by the Analytical Services Unit of the Department for Social Development and today's figures cover the period April to June 2013.

Welcoming the latest Housing Bulletin, the Minister said: “I welcome the publication of the latest Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin which confirms an improving housing market. New dwelling starts over the April to June period reached 1,141, up 15% over the same period last year, with new dwelling completions reaching 1,999, a 50% increase over the same quarter in 2012. Whilst these figures are still significantly down on the peak of 2005/06, they offer hope of a sustainable return to growth in housing supply.

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"House prices have stopped falling with a small increase over the quarter. The Help to Buy scheme will increase the availability of 95% mortgages throughout the UK, for both first-time buyers and movers, further improving access to the market and supporting confidence. Further support is available to first time buyers through the Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Housing Association, with 540 homes already purchased this year through the scheme and 650 applications in process."

(CD/MH)