The SDLP has called for a "substantial rethink" over the support homeless people receive in Northern Ireland.

Cllr Paul McCusker made the call after figures revealed a 32% rise in the number of people presenting themselves as homeless in the last five years.

He said: "Given that recent reports suggest that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is having limited success in their efforts to reduce homelessness, it's clearly time for a substantial rethink about how we support those who find themselves without accommodation in Belfast.

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"Every day, I deal with people and families in terrible circumstances who, through no fault of their own, have nowhere to go. The temporary provision available to families like this is wholly inadequate. I have been approached by one mother with two children in Belfast schools who were offered a hostel in Derry. No one should be forced to choose between a roof over their head and being able to send their kids to school."

"I'm calling for the council to convene an urgent meeting with the Housing Executive and the homelessness organisations in the city to chart a way forward."

(CD/MH)