The SDLP is calling on the Minister for Social Development to step up over the "complete inadequacy" of social housing in west Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Daniel McCrossan, the party's West Tyrone Westminster candidate, has described the situation as a "shocking indictment" of the Department of Social Development.

He said: "The figures are staggering and offer a shocking indictment of the Department of Social Development. 619 families are on the waiting list in Omagh of which 175 experience housing stress. In Strabane the situation is even worse with 697 families on the waiting list with a shameful 326 of them finding the cost of living too much to bear.

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"I have talked to one individual who has been waiting with her family since July. She explained how the stress has affected their physical health and the health of her marriage.

"The Social Development Minister must take urgent and immediate action. He must expedite social housing and start the development of 500 homes across West Tyrone to alleviate the burden on these hard pressed families."

(CD/JP)