THERE has been a "significant improvement in fuel poverty levels" in Northern Ireland, according to a new survey.
The Housing Executive last night said there had been a 20 percentage point drop in households in fuel poverty over a five-year period.
The 2016 House Condition survey found that around 22 per cent (160,000) of households in Northern Ireland were in fuel poverty, compared to 42 per cent (294,000) in 2011.
Low income continued to be a significant cause of fuel poverty in the north, with 55 per cent of households with an annual income of less than £10,399 in fuel poverty.
Findings also showed that 78 per cent of all households in fuel poverty had incomes of £15,599 per annum or less.
The survey, which was carried out May to November 2016, aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the conditions of all tenures and types across Northern Ireland.
The House Condition Survey also reveals there were around 780,000 dwellings in Northern Ireland in 2016 - an increase of 20,000 since 2011.
Almost two-thirds of the housing stock is classified as urban and the remainder as rural, with the social housing sector similar in size compared to the private rented sector.
In 2016 there were approximately 28,500 vacant properties, which represents a significant decrease since 2006 when the figure stood at 40,300.
