Fr Peter McVerry claims housing proposal will get rid of 'ghettoes'

One of the country's best-known social justice campaigners is promising housing plans that would get rid of housing 'ghettoes' in favour of a more integrated approach.

Father Peter McVerry says a new proposal, put together by the Workers Party would see the State building, owning and managing homes in developments where 50% of residents are on housing benefits.

Under the deal, higher earners would pay more rent to subsidise lower-paid workers.

The plans would also see responsibility for housing handed over to a housing executive - like the system in the North.

Fr McVerry will launch the report later this morning.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, he explained that "it envisages integrated housing - not the middle class ghettoes here, and working class ghettoes separated from them".

He added that under the plans, "different social groups would all live together".

He also welcomed the proposal to give responsibility to a housing executive, "because the local authorities are very reluctant to build social housing and to manage social housing".