A Sinn Féin assemblyman has called on the Housing Minister to explain why up to 10,000 grant applications have been cancelled by the Housing Executive.

West Belfast MLA Fra McCann has written to Margaret Ritchie and the Housing Executive to seek answers.

Mr McCann said his party is concerned at the number of people refused assistance to carry out urgent works to their homes.

Sinn Féin claimed many of these projects are essential either because of the poor condition of the homes, or work is required because of the medical condition of the applicant.

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Mr McCann said he understands upwards of 13,700 people are on the waiting list for grants and that around 9,700 people, who have had their applications fully processed, have subsequently had their application frozen indefinitely.

"This is causing serious problems. The failure to carry out this work will have a negative impact on people’s health and in the deterioration of these homes," he said.

"There is also a cost to people in terms of getting the relevant documents and detailed plans in place, only for them to be refused at the last hurdle, leaving many people with bills for thousands of pounds."

Mr McCann said both the Housing Executive and Minister need to explain why this is happening and what is being done to ensure that the conditions in these properties.

"It has been widely recognised that Rural Housing needs major investment. Yet, the cancellation of these grants will impact greatly on people who live in a rural setting -who in many cases live in intolerable conditions," he added.

(PR/KMcA)