Communities Minister Gordon Lyons must explain why he cut funding to housing associations says Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has called on the Communities Minister to explain his decision to cut funding to housing associations for social homes.
Mason, the Deputy Chairperson of the Communities Committee, was speaking after the issue was raised in committee earlier this week with Departmental officials.
She said: “This week, my party colleague Colm Gildernew MLA challenged the Department for Communities to explain the rationale for cutting funding to housing associations, which is used to build much needed social homes.”
“Despite claims by the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons that these changes would lead to more social homes being built, new research published this week shows the opposite.
“It found this decision will actually reduce the number of social homes by half and decimate house building in the areas of greatest need.
“The Department for Communities has failed to provide a shred of evidence that its analysis is correct.
“There are serious concerns that the Minister is pressing ahead with a damaging policy, despite reservations from organisations which build social homes and research to back this up.
