The East Antrim MLA was speaking after Department for Social Development (DSD) Minister Lord Morrow responded to a recent report by the Equality Commission on key inequalities in housing and communities. While he stated his Department was committed to playing its part in delivering more shared neighbourhoods, Mr Dickson said the DSD needed to be more proactive in its approach to shared housing.
“Whilst I welcome the Minister’s commitment to tackling segregation in housing, housing in Northern Ireland remains highly segregated. I understand the attitudes that led to such housing being established cannot be resolved quickly but there is a long way to go and I would urge the Minister to push harder to establish more such developments.
“No area should be off limits for anyone and there can be no tolerance of anyone claiming control over territory. The Minister is in the perfect position to act and take a huge step forward to creating the shared future that people want and deserve.
“Alliance will continue to keep the pressure on the Executive to end division in all forms. It is fine to talk about a shared future but action is what is really needed.”