Despite economic turbulence, housing remains "first priority" for the Department of Social Development, according to Minister Margaret Ritchie.

The Minister was speaking at the launch of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's latest annual report.

The report, published last week, noted an above target return for new builds and a significant reduction in unfitness levels.

Around 1,600 new homes were started or acquired in the financial year and rates of unfitness fell from 4.9% to 3.4%.

NIHE Chairman Brian Rowntree said: "In the face of a challenging economic environment the Housing Executive delivered during the year:

• Help to 23,000 vulnerable people to live independently through housing support schemes
• Allocations of over 7,200 homes to applicants on the waiting list
• Adaptations to 4,000 homes allowing families to live independently
• Improvements to almost 10,000 homes in both the public and private sector
• Delivered along with housing associations 1,600 new social rentedhouses.

"Affordability remains a major obstacle despite the fall in house prices. Credit, loans and mortgages are becoming increasingly difficult to secure for first time buyers and established householders.

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"The waiting list for social housing, including the number in housing stress, continued to grow in 2007-08. In March 2008 the overall number of applicants on the waiting list was 39,688.

"The number of households found to be in urgent need was 21,634. In addition over 9,000 households were awarded homelessness status.

"During the year we welcomed both the commitment of the Minister for Social Development and her new Housing Agenda as well as the commitment in the Programme for Government to deliver up to 10,000 new social houses over the next 5 years.

"However, we need to ensure sufficient funding is available to deliver all of our programmes, including improvements to the housing stock, both public and private. We must continue to build on the progress we have made to date."

Mr Rowntree added: "There are many challenges ahead. We are committed to meeting these challenges and playing our part in Margaret Ritchie’s New Housing Agenda."

Minister Margaret Ritchie said the NIHE has been central to delivering housing services across the Province, helping communities to develop and offering help to those who are most vulnerable.

"These are uncertain times but housing is my first priority," insisted Ms Ritchie.

"Through my Housing Agenda I am determined to deliver new housing, to help those who need support and to deliver to people in need through supported housing, maintenance and various other programmes.

"I recognise that in this challenging environment the Housing Executive continues to deliver and I am pleased with their progress and contribution to my New Housing Agenda."

Key statistics from the Annual Report 2007-08

• £29.5m was invested on adaptations for people living in private sector and Housing Executive homes
• 39,688 housing applicants were on the waiting list
• 21,364 applicants were found to be in housing stress
• 9,234 applicants were found to be homeless after investigation
• 278 households were intimidated
• 7,289 allocations for social housing were made
• 808 homes were sold to sitting tenants, generating an income of £58.3m
• 5,488 private sector grant applications were approved
• 70 Neighbourhood Wardens were employed
• 600 community groups worked in partnership with us through the Housing Community Network
• £428m was administered in Housing Benefit
• 1,595 new homes were started through the Programme Development Group
• 1.9m telephone calls were dealt with through our landlord function
• 320,000 people visited our local offices for landlord functions
• 392,000 repair requests were dealt with.