Over 3,000 in housing stress in Derry & Strabane

The figures obtained by the Journal show that as of June, there were 4,276 people on the social housing waiting list in the Derry City & Strabane District Council area, which increased slightly on the figures for March this year.

Of these, 3,018 applicants were deemed as being in housing stress , which has risen slightly from 2,981 applicants in March this year.

Housing stress is deemed to exist when an applicant is awarded 30 points or more under the common selection scheme.

Meanwhile the Housing Executive has confirmed that over 1,700 new social homes are projected for the coming few years.

The Housing Executive spokesperson said: “In relation to housing projects, there are currently 461 homes are ‘under construction’ in the Derry and Strabane Council area.

“There are currently 1,309 homes currently programmed to start in the Derry and Strabane Council area as part of the Social Housing Development Programme 2016/17 to 2018/19.”

She added that the five year projected housing need for the Derry City & Strabane District Council area for the period 2015 to 2020 is 1,976 new homes.

There are a number of housing developments under way in Skeoge and another in the Northland Road area.