Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson has welcomed an allocation of £64 million from Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald to expand wastewater infrastructure and build more homes.

The party’s housing spokesperson said:

“I welcome the finance minister’s decision to prioritise cutting housing waiting lists by allocating £64 million worth of funding to expand wastewater infrastructure and build more homes.

“This will enable the delivery of up to 1400 social houses within this financial year.

“This demonstrates the Executive’s commitment to providing more social, affordable and sustainable housing, as outlined in the draft Programme for Government.

“Despite this, one budget was not going to reverse the toxic legacy of Tory austerity, and more funding is needed from the British government to ensure we can deliver more homes.

“I would urge the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to publish an updated housing supply strategy and for him to engage with the British Treasury on securing borrowing powers for the Housing Executive.

“Everyone deserves a home that is safe, secure, comfortable, affordable and of good quality, and Sinn Féin will not give up fighting to make this a reality.”