‘Waiting until someone dies’

A PUP councillor told a meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Council last week that people are “waiting until someone dies” to see if they can get a house.

Coleraine councillor Russell Watton was speaking as members were given a presentation by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. As part of the presentation, members were told that there are currently 2,490 people on the waiting list.

The meeting heard that the housing body will spend £22 million in this area in the next year, and that between now and 2018, 450 new social houses are planned for the Causeway Coast and Glens council area.