Provision of mixed housing must become the norm - McCarthy

5.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Jul 2006

Alliance Social Development Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Assembly Social Development Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has said that the provision of mixed housing must become the norm for the Housing Executive, after it announced that housing would be provided specifically for people wishing to live in mixed areas.

The Strangford MLA stated: "The Alliance Party has long held the view that the Housing Executive should provide 'mixed' housing, and we have worked long and hard for this to come about.

"This is not the end of the road, however. It is merely the beginning of a process where we will seek to see the provision of mixed housing become the norm.

"Segregated housing is not a right. If we were to provide whites-only and blacks-only housing there would be outcry. Religious segregation is no more acceptable that racial segregation.

"The provision of mixed housing must become universal as quickly as possible."

ENDS