The Green Party has called for a "joined-up approach" to housing in Belfast.

Representative Áine Groogan made the call after new figures revealed a number of areas in south Belfast were among the 10 most deprived areas of Northern Ireland in terms of living environment.

She said: "These include areas of Botanic, Windsor and Malone. The feedback we have been getting from residents over the housing standards in those areas and the failure to meet the demand for adequate and affordable housing has made it quite clear that we are in a housing crisis.

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"We have areas that are well beyond the recommended density levels for HMOs and that is causing serious problems in terms of living conditions. The infrastructure that currently exists just cannot support this. Flat conversions are on the rise, with no regard for the added stress that is going to put on an area already at breaking point. We can't continue to ignore residents who are calling out for something to be done.

"The Belfast Agenda has a goal of delivering 1,800 social housing units by 2021 yet we are still seeing major developments being put through the planning process with little or no attempt to ensure that social housing needs are met. People are sitting on housing waiting lists, with nowhere to go."

(CD)