In a radical programme, the Social Development Minister pledged to build " at least" 5,250 homes across the province in the next three years.

And she said the present housing co-ownership scheme will be made more attractive for first-time buyers - along with promised proposals for a new " mortgage rescue scheme".

Ms Ritchie and Environment Minister Arlene Foster will further introduce a 'Developer's Contribution' which will require future projects to include a proportion of social and affordable homes.

She said she believed Executive Ministers, including Finance Minister Peter Robinson, had accepted that devolution would not be seen to be working unless the developing housing crisis is tackled - and soon.

"This new housing agenda will deliver more social, more affordable, more energy efficient and more sustainable homes," she told the Assembly.

"But most of all I want it to deliver opportunity and choice for those who currently have little, and hope for those who have none."

In a wide-ranging statement, Ms Ritchie said she was determined to achieve more than simply "managing" the housing crisis and also outlined plans to bring empty homes back into use.

A new procurement strategy will also be brought forward to increase the energy efficiency of new social houses here.

The minister also unveiled plans for more mixed religion housing areas in a province where most estates are more than 80% either Protestant or Catholic. In the new areas residents will undertake not to erect flags or paint kerbstones and the blueprint envisages the mixing of different economic as well as religious groups.