Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has called on Northern Ireland social development minister Nelson McCausland to make reducing social housing waiting lists a priority.

Speaking after the minister requested an additional £15 million in the June monitoring rounds for co-ownership housing, the West Belfast MLA said: "Co-ownership provides a good service for a relatively small group of people but if the minister is applying for additional money then it should be used to help those most in need.

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"There are currently almost 40,000 people on social housing waiting lists and the minister should be asking for extra funding to reduce this figure.

"Additional funding for co-ownership housing may boost the affordable housing sector but it does not address the objective need of those on waiting lists.

"The minister needs to explain why he is not applying for extra funding for the social housing development programme.

"In my own constituency almost 4,000 people are on housing waiting lists with two thirds of those in housing stress and hundreds in hostels and single lets."

(CD/IT)