Housing statistics reflecting the levels of homelessness in Northern Ireland have been criticised by Sinn Fein.

Released by the Department of Communities, west Belfast MLA Fra McCann said he has concerns over people being directed away from going through with homeless applications by the new Housing Solutions team.

He said: "This I believe has more to do with statistics than providing a long-term solution in dealing with homelessness.

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"Many of those coming forward are being encouraged to move into unregulated private rented housing, convinced that they will wait years to be housed and therefore they withdraw their application. The new system also takes away contact and decisions from local Housing Executive offices.

"I believe an urgent review of how this new system is working is required. The full scale roll out should be stalled until we establish if this new system is working or is just another move to hide the true figures of people declaring themselves as homeless."

(CD)