Alliance Write To Communities Minister Over Rising House Prices

Alliance MLA Patricia O'Lynn has written to the Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, to raise concerns over Northern Ireland's growing housing problem.

The North Antrim MLA referenced examples in her own constituency, such as Ballycastle which has seen some of the steepest increases in house prices. The average home in Causeway Coast and Glens rose 12.5 per cent in the first three months of 2022, according to the Ulster University's Quarterly House Price Index.

O'Lynn said: "House prices are out of control across Northern Ireland. We're seeing the fastest rising house prices of any region in the UK and Causeway Coast and Glens is experiencing some of the steepest.

"I have written to the Minister to ask what their plans are to ensure the housing crisis is being addressed both nationally and locally here in North Antrim.

"We need to build more affordable housing, to ensure the most vulnerable have somewhere to live. Although, we must also factor in the effect the number of holiday properties is having on the market, which means local people are being driven out of their communities."