South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

East Belfast social housing the focus of meeting

Published: 21 May, 2007

Niall Ó Donnghaile discussing housing in East Belfast with Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Fra McCann MLA.

Niall Ó Donnghaile discussing housing in East Belfast with Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Fra McCann MLA.

East Belfast Sinn Féin representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has vowed to continue to campaign for much needed social housing for the East Belfast area and has said that the Party will be lobbying on this issue in the Assembly. Mr Ó Donnghaile's comments come after Mr Ó Donnghaile and a number of members of the Seán Martin/Seán Treacy from the Short Strand area, this afternoon, met with Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Fra McCann MLA to discuss the lack of social housing in the area.


Mr Ó Donnghaile said,

"The lack of social housing within East Belfast, and in the Short Strand area in particular, is a major issue. Last year the 'St Matthew's Housing Association' published the findings of their study which showed that within the Short Strand area alone around 200 new households would form over a four year period. This study also highlighted the inadequacies of the current housing arrangements showing that a fifth of those surveyed believed that their home was inadequate for their needs. Despite this we have seen little or no progress being made to tackle this problem.


"Today's meeting was extremely productive. Sinn Féin are already on record as stating our belief that 30% of any new housing developments must be given over to social housing. We will continue to lobby for this.


"We believe that immediate steps such as the release of land; the freeing up of vacant property; and setting a target of at least 3,000 social homes per year throughout the Six Counties would assist in helping to tackle the housing crisis throughout the North.


"Such basic steps, taken on a Six County basis, would have major ramifications for the East Belfast area, helping to sustain the local community and playing a vital role in the regeneration of the area. Myself, and the local Sinn Féin cumann are intent on working towards this goal. Through our comrades in the Assembly we will be raising this issue at all levels, ensuring that the needs of the East Belfast community are not overlooked".

CRÍOCH