Experts will discuss homelessness in Belfast

Figures released by the Housing Executive show a fall in the number of homeless people in Northern Ireland.

The Housing Executive said on Thursday that just under 4,250 people were homeless from April to September 2004.

This is a decrease of 8% on figures for the same period last year.

However, executive chairman Brian Rowntree said there was no room for complacency.

"The fact remains that more than half of homeless households are found permanent accommodation within three months and almost nine in 10 within a year," Mr Rowntree said.

"But we are acutely aware that in some areas of particularly high demand, people are still having to wait far too long to be rehoused in permanent accommodation and that issue needs to be addressed."

The announcement comes as a conference focusing on supporting homeless people is due to take place at the King's Hall in Belfast.

The event is hosted by the Housing Executive and brings together experts from across the United Kingdom.