Much-needed social housing could be on the way for Ballyclare, after the Northern Ireland Housing Executive pledged to look closely at the issue.

There are currently around 185 people on the town's housing waiting list, with 112 of these in 'Housing Stress'.

Annually, a mere 43 homes are allocated by the Housing Executive, which has prompted the authority to make social house a top priority in the town.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "This is reflected in the draft five year Social Housing Development Programme, which includes 65 new homes in three schemes in the town.

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"One scheme is for 20 homes, at Housing Executive owned land at Rashee Drive. If suitable, a housing association will be nominated for the scheme.

"It is not anticipated that the scheme will start this financial year and the programme for next year will be reviewed later in the autumn.

"A further 45 homes are included in two 'marker' schemes, dependent on Housing Associations identifying and acquiring suitable development sites.

"The Social Housing Development Programme is reviewed regularly, taking account of the housing market and funding availability.

"The Housing Executive owns land to the north of Ballyclare. However, this land cannot be developed until a new access road is established."

While the Housing Executive makes provisions for new homes, it is the housing association that is tasked with constructing the schemes.

The Social Housing Development Programme is formulated on the basis of local Housing Need Assessments, with the Waiting List, in particular the number of applicants in Housing Stress (that is, having 30 points or more), and the number of annual allocations, key to this process.

(PR/JM)