Sinn Féin has called for clarity on the number of homeless people in Belfast, following recent tragic events in the city.

A homeless man was found dead in High Street on Friday 18 January, sparking conflicting figures on the number of homeless people and the exact number of emergency and hostel beds available to address the issue. 

The party's MP Paul Maskey and MLAs from across Belfast have written to the permanent secretary of the Department for Communities and the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive demanding urgent answers.

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The West Belfast MP said: "I and the team of Sinn Féin MLAs from across Belfast have now written to the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities as well as the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive seeking urgent clarity on the exact numbers of people who are sleeping on our streets and what provision is in place to help and support them, including the number of bed places available. 

"We are also asking how many organisations are funded or supported by the Department and the Housing Executive which deal with those sleeping on the streets. 

"In addition, we are also seeking information on what options are being considered to open up premises for use as emergency accommodation in the city. 

"As temperatures fall it is important that we get a full and complete picture of what services are in place to deal with homelessness and to identify any gaps there may be urgently so that we avoid more tragic deaths in the future." 

(CM/JG)