Housing need 'highest since 70s'

2,500 people are waiting for a house in the west of Northern Ireland

Social housing need in Londonderry is at its highest level since the 1970s, according to the Housing Executive.

Almost 2,500 people are now on the waiting list for a Housing Executive property in the Western area - an increase of 42% in five years.

The number of houses available for allocation has dropped by nearly a quarter over the same period.

The head of the Housing Executive, Paddy McIntyre, said he was confident the problem could be addressed.

"We believe we will see a start made on the Skeoge Road in the current year.

"There are a number of other potential sites round the city, and we're helped by the fact that the housing market is almost in our favour now.

"Provided the funding is there, we think we can deliver 1,100 units over the next five years," he said.