There has been a rise in the number of homeless people in Belfast, a new street count has found.

Carried out by the Housing Executive and other statutory agencies and homeless organisations, the annual street count noted people sleeping rough in Belfast.

They found 16 people on the street between 2-5am on 06 November, a huge increase from the same study last year which counted five.

One had their own home and of the remaining 15 people, all were either known by or engaged with the staff conducting the street count, with only two people willing to accept an offer of temporary accommodation.

Colm McQuillan, HE Director of Housing Services: "The Housing Executive works closely with outreach services in Belfast and is aware of the increased prevalence in the city of rough sleeping and street activity.  

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"The most recent Street Count has confirmed this trend.

"A street count provides a consistent way of capturing information that we use to monitor and plan better services - it also gives us a good indication of the trend in the number of people sleeping rough over time.  

"Throughout the year, we work with all agencies to do all we can collectively to ensure we have sufficient temporary accommodation to meet demand and we are particularly aware of this coming into the winter period."

The Housing Executive is also putting plans in place to extend the number of emergency accommodation options available in the city following this survey and recent updates from the sector.

Mr McQuillan added: "Whilst it is important to measure this on a regular basis, our priority is to make sure these individuals are receiving the help and shelter they need and we are working in collaboration with our partners to address this."

The Welcome Organisation, Queens Quarter Housing, Depaul, Salvation Army, Hosford House, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the PSNI assisted Housing Executive staff with the annual count.

(CM/MH)