To ask the Minister for Communities what implication the Department for Infrastructure and NI Water’s identified water and sewage crisis will have on the target number of new builds needed to meet housing stress.

The potential implications for the development of social housing schemes due to the identified issues affecting the water/sewage infrastructure is a concern for me, particularly given the increasing levels of housing stress.

I understand that presently there are approximately nine schemes at risk due to capacity issues in the water/sewage network. These total more than a thousand social and affordable units over a number of years. I have asked the Housing Executive to carry out a detailed analysis of the areas of housing need that may be impacted by the water infrastructure issue.

My officials have and will continue to engage with the Department for Infrastructure and Housing Executive colleagues to establish options to minimise risks.

My ambition remains to increase the capacity of the Social Housing Development Programme and deliver much needed social homes in areas of most acute housing need.