More than 1,200 people were intimidated out of their homes in Northern Ireland last year, it was revealed today.
Housing chiefs also spent £45 million sterling buying properties from people forced to flee amid security fears - a startling 50 per cent rise.
Sectarian tensions in Belfast, paramilitary feuding, and the need to move hundreds of prison officers whose details were found on alleged IRA intelligence files all contributed to the huge bill.
More was spent on the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwelling (SPED) scheme than the £37 million needed to adapt homes for disabled use, the Housing Executive 's annual report showed.
Mr Paddy McIntyre, the authority's chief executive said: "It is not right that scarce resources continue to be required to deal with intimidation, when they could undoubtedly be better used elsewhere."
The SPED process lets anyone under terrorist threat be paid the market value for their home without having to put it on the market.
Once the Chief Constable declares they are at risk, the Executive pays out to allow a relocation.
PA