The Belfast City Councillor said: “Government must examine new ways to create more affordable housing in Northern Ireland. Radical thinking is needed on this issue as house prices here have move out of the range of many first-time buyers.
“Government must do more to help people make that first step onto the property ladder.
“In England they have keyworker housing and assistance schemes. They are about making affordable housing available to teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers and other key public sector workers. They do not qualify for social housing, but at the same time many do not earn enough to buy a property in certain areas.
“Keyworker assistance ensures that they can gain help with buying a house. It also ensures that people working in these professions can live in any area. It means that nurses who are needed to work in hospitals in areas of London where property is expensive can now live in those areas, instead of having to travel long distances to work. It ensures that all areas can attract key workers to work in their local schools and hospitals.
“Schemes like keyworker housing and assistance could be implemented in Belfast to alleviate housing problems. I call on government to examine these options as soon as possible.”
ENDS