Issues affecting the Northern Ireland housing sector topped the agenda at a meeting between Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and the Province's Federation of Housing Associations yesterday.

Among matters discussed was the level of funding for social housing.

Mr Wilson lauded the "valuable" work undertaken by the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations.

"I took the opportunity of today’s meeting to put on record my ongoing support for the important work they do," he said.

"We had a useful discussion on the importance of investing in social housing and I confirmed the Executive’s commitment to deliver 10,000 social and affordable housing units by 2013."

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The Minister assured NIFHA that, where additional resources become available during the course of the year, he would continue to view housing needs as a key priority.

"In the last financial year, my predecessor Nigel Dodds was able to help support the social housing budget to the tune of over £50m through increases in allocation and in-year reallocations."

Mr Wilson said he has prioritised social housing over other competing demands across Government by allocating a further £20m to the Department of Social Development to assist with the Disabled Adaptation Programme and Housing Renovations.

"These are clear indications of the importance the Executive attaches to the area of social housing," he said.

The Minister, however, cautioned that the Executive is operating in a "constrained financial environment" and calls for a further growth in funding could lead to reductions of funding to other key areas.

"The Executive’s Budget has provided £925m across the three years to 2011 for housing and I will be working to ensure this money is used to best effect to help those people most in need of assistance," he added.

(PR/KMcA)