Over 500 mobility impaired are stuck on housing waiting lists

Three hundred and forty people are currently on the housing waiting list in the city. One hundred and sixty four are on the homeless lists.

Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie revealed the figures for people with "functional mobility problems" in response to a query tabled at the Stormont Assembly by Sinn Fin MLA Raymond McCartney who had asked for a breakdown of the waiting lists for people with disabilities.

Outlining the data the Minister stated: "The Housing Executive does not collate information regarding applicants with a disability other than where it pertains to the housing needs of the applicant. In these circumstances, applicants are awarded the relevant points to reflect any functional mobility problems, that is, cannot climb stairs, need a downstairs toilet, need a 'through lift' etc, with regard to their current accommodation.

"The table below details the social housing applicant households within the Derry City Council area that have been awarded Functionality Points in relation to functional mobility problems with regard to their current accommodation, as at 31 December 2009."

Most people registered where in the Waterloo Place office area followed by Collon Terrace and Waterside.

Meanwhile, Ms Ritchie also revelaed well over one hundred people are currently on the waiting list for sheltered accomodation in the city.

She stated: "There are currently 150 applicants registered on the Waiting List for sheltered accommodation within the Derry City Council area."