UUP MLA Michael McGimpsey calls on Nelson McCausland to sort out housing repair crisis in south ‘Belfast

FORMER Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has called for immediate action by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland to resolve a Housing Executive contractors crisis in south Belfast.

The south Belfast UUP MLA said that months have passed since non-emergency repairs and maintenance in the district have not been completed as a result of maintenance contracts not being in place.

He said it has left a huge back log of work that is “getting longer by the day”.

In a statement, Dr McGimpsey said, “My constituency office in Sandy Row is being inundated on a daily basis by Housing Executive tenants who have been waiting for a number of months for essential repairs and maintenance to their homes to be completed.

“This is causing them a great deal of distress and inconvenience as they have been given no idea of when the work is likely to be completed.”

“As landlords the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department for Social Development have an obligation to ensure their properties are kept in a good state of repair for their tenants.

“I cannot understand why during a time when the building industry is struggling and so many builders are out of work this problem has not been resolved.”

He added: “I am calling on the Minister to resolve this issue as a matter of urgency so work can begin on tackling the huge backlog of repairs to end the hardship, discomfort and distress being felt by the many Housing Executive tenants across South Belfast.”