To ask the Minister for Communities how many of the 600 houses approved to be purchased by the Housing Executive for temporary accommodation will be in the Strangford constituency.

This issue is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The planned acquisition of 600 properties will be focused on reducing NIHE’s current exposure to high-cost temporary accommodation (particularly hotels and B&Bs).

While the final locations have yet to be determined the principal considerations will include:

Geographical areas where exposure to high-cost temporary accommodation is most prevalent.

The nature of the temporary accommodation client groups (single people, couples, families).

The availability of suitable properties to purchase that align with the above criteria.

Value for money considerations.