The Department of Communities has been called to provide more funding to build more homes in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein made the call after meeting with its senior management team to discuss a number of housing issues.

MLA Carál Ní Chuilín stressed the need to build more homes particularly in areas of high demand.

She said: "In some of these areas there are lengthy waiting lists and three generations of family living under the same roof. That is unacceptable.

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"We also raised a number of issues which have a disproportionate impact on women.

"Women who are forced to leave their homes as a result of violence in the home should be awarded intimidation points.

"Instead these women and their children languish in hostels for long periods of time through no fault of their own.

"That wait on a home can go on for years in an area of high demand. That's clearly wrong and this issue needs to be addressed.

"The problem is also being compounded by the lack of suitable refuges. Women’s Aid and the Simon Community have raised this issue in the past but Tory/DUP cuts to public services is making this problem worse instead of better."

(CD/MH)