5. Ms McLaughlin asked the Minister for Communities what steps he will take to address the increased use of non-standard temporary accommodation. (AQO 616/22-27)

We have an immediate issue with the use of non-standard temporary accommodation. It is not good for families — they need the security of their own homes — and it is very expensive. There are far too many households in temporary accommodation — almost 5,000 — and, on any night, there are between 400 and 500 in hotels and B&Bs. The average stay in temporary accommodation is now over 34 weeks. These are children who are not near their schools and people who are away from families and support networks and who are unable to get to work.

The Housing Executive assures me that the use of non-standard accommodation is only out of necessity and is due to unprecedented demand. The Housing Executive has made it clear that it is committed to reducing the use of non-standard accommodation. It has, for example, initiated a housing solutions task and finish group to look for alternative and more financially sustainable options. I have asked the Housing Executive to focus on that work and to provide me with monthly updates on the use of temporary accommodation. I assure the Member and, indeed, the rest of the House that I will do all that I can to get the issue under control.

Thank you for your answer, Minister. Non-standard temporary accommodation has risen by over 500% in my constituency. I am dealing with a particularly distressing case in which one of my constituents — a young woman who has just had a caesarean section — has been returned to a hotel bedroom along with her baby and toddler. That is no way for a child to start their life.

Will the Minister look into that matter and see whether we can get her out of that temporary accommodation, now? It is affecting her mental health and well-being, and that of her two children.

Minister, you have about 10 seconds.

Temporary accommodation is not suitable for any family, especially in the circumstances that the Member described. If she would like to meet me afterwards or to contact my office, I will make sure that we look into that and see what we might be able to do.

That concludes that batch of questions to the Minister. We will move to topical questions. The first question has been withdrawn.