The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is being urged to update residents from the Upper Long Streets in north Belfast on when the homes currently under construction will be available.

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said they also need to confirm who will be allocated homes and if any of the current residents can apply.

She said: "This campaign for redevelopment started properly in the 1980s. The understanding was that it would take years for full redevelopment and that it would happen in stages.

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"The first phase identified the homes from North Queen Street to Lepper Street as having the worst conditions and recommended that those homes be redeveloped first.

"The Houses in the Upper Long Streets are roughly 130 years old and do not meet the Housing Executives own criteria for suitable living conditions.

"20 years ago the Housing Executive began to demolish the old houses and began the first phase of construction. 20 years later, residents living in the same unfit conditions need answers when the rest of the redevelopment of the Upper Long Streets will happen.

"The residents have all filled in another application for new homes and it is disgraceful that the Housing Executive have said there are no plans for further redevelopment.

"The Housing Executive needs to attend local meetings organised by the Upper Long Streets Residents Committee to provide information."

(CD/LM)