Homeless numbers are on the increase

The Simon Community said that almost 23,000 people were classed as homeless in the province last year and statistics indicate a 13% rise in the numbers of homeless in Belfast.

The figures were revealed at a launch of the charity's public affairs strategy which outlined seven steps the government should take to deal with the problem.

Carol O'Bryan, chief executive of Simon Community Northern Ireland, said the document, Addressing Homelessness, was about more than just a social housing issue.

"We aim to highlight practical solutions and actively engage those who have a key role in helping address this growing problem in Northern Ireland," she said.

"We welcome the fact that Addressing Homelessness has attracted wide political support and we hope that our politicians will carry forward the issues in this document."

This event is a positive step to focusing on the solutions and not just on the extent of homelessness in Northern Ireland Martin Morgan Belfast Mayor

The document was launched on Wednesday by Belfast Mayor Martin Morgan with a number of other politicians attending the event at the City Hall.

Mr Morgan said: "In the last year, Belfast alone has experienced an increase of over 13% in the number of people presenting as homeless.

"This event is a positive step to focusing on the solutions and not just on the extent of homelessness in Northern Ireland."

Health services

The Simon Community is calling for a joint approach to the problem of homelessness and more social housing in the province.

It wants an adequate legislative framework for homelessness, and a statutory requirement to ensure homeless people have access to health services.

The Simon Community also wants services which address the needs of children in homeless families and all homeless 16 and 17-year-olds to be assessed as children in need.

The charity is calling for job schemes to address the practicalities of working with homeless people.

The Simon Community is the leading homeless charity in Northern Ireland which provides a service to homeless people in 18 locations.