Councillor calls for sacking of DUP Communities Minister for 'catastrophic failure to meet the social housing build target'

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harking (PBP) has called for the DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to be "fired for the catastrophic failure to meet the social housing build target".

"There are more than 5,000 on the housing waiting list in Derry and Foyle alone but only 1,410 social homes were built across the entire North in 2024-25, and the target was missed by a staggering 30%," said Cllr Harkin. 

"Despite all the promises from the Stormont Executive to address the housing crisis and regional disparity, Derry continues to have the highest number of households on the housing waiting list," he added.

"The Communities Minister and Stormont Executive should really hold their heads in shame at their failure to meet the paltry social housing build target they set for themselves. 

"Most workers would face the prospect of being fired if they missed their targets as badly as this. But DUP Minister's are protected entities no matter the scale of the calamity.

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"The human cost of Stormont's failure to build social housing leaves 50,000 households languishing on the waiting list, with many trapped in hotels and non-standard temporary accommodation. 

"The repercussions on stability, employment, education, deprivation and mental health for those denied a secure and affordable home are enormous, particularly for children in school and women fleeing domestic violence," said Cllr Harkin.

"The year ahead will be no different, the Stormont Executive will once again fail to build the 2,000 social homes it has committed to on paper," he added.

"Housing scarcity is driving up rental costs, while the DfC Minister and main parties refuse to take action with regulation, a cap and reduction.

"Stormont's colossal failure to address housing need is unfairly putting tremendous pressure on frontline Housing Executive and homelessness sector workers."