Cllr Tony Hassan.
In a New Year appeal Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Councillor Tony Hassan has called on the Department of Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey to allow Housing Associations to build more Bungalow type accommodation in all new builds of social Housing.
His call comes after a family was allocated a new bungalow at Racecourse Drive after waiting six years for accommodation that meet the family’s needs.
Councillor Tony Hassan said today: “I am pleased that building work on three sites in the city will provide another 300 new social homes in the Creggan and Skeoge areas of the city ,homes that are much needed for the over 2000 people in housing stress and homeless in this city.
“Whilst I welcome the building of these social homes I have very serious concerns about the provision for bungalow type accommodation.
“There is a need for bungalow type accommodation for the older members of our community and for people with disabilities. If you need bungalow type accommodation on health grounds or if you are disabled you have to be referred by an Occupational Therapist to the Housing Executive.
“In the Derry City Council area there are a number of family’s waiting for bungalow type accommodation. Let’s hope they don’t have to wait for years which has been the case in some instances.
“If we are to move forward and have a better mix of our housing stock it’s clear that there needs to be a higher percentage of bungalow type accommodation and that this should be a priority for the DSD Minister.”
Tags:
