NW among highest for overcrowded homes

Currently, 1,390 applicants have points for overcrowding and 2,283 for sharing.

SDLP social justice spokesperson Mark H Durkan said the figures, while stark, were unsurprising.

The Foyle MLA said: “This is nothing short of disheartening and further underscores the high levels of housing needs within the city. We cannot resign ourselves to the expectation that Foyle will top the charts of every dire statistic. It is not good enough.

“Particularly now, following a period of lockdown, the implications and difficulties of overcrowded homes will have, no doubt, been exacerbated, putting many of these families under enormous strain.

“The number of constituents contacting my office for housing support in recent months is testament to these pressures, many of whom are sharing homes with elderly and vulnerable family members, wholly unsuitable circumstances at any time, but particularly so in the context of a pandemic.”

The Foyle MLA added: “While I appreciate the Communities Minister’s recent commitment to increasing social housing provision in the North West, her words need to be matched by action.

“These households are at breaking point. Families cannot afford to wait any longer.”