How many are homeless?

During the year the number of households presenting as homeless reduced from 19,030 to 18,076 Single households represent 51% of those presenting as homeless.  The number of households accepted as statutorily homeless reduced from 9,234 in 2007-08 to 8,934, down 3% on the previous year.

Our approach remains focused on meeting temporary and permanent accommodation needs of those presenting as homeless and on addressing the issues that lead to homelessness.  Over the past year we have continued to reduce the number of households in private shared temporary accommodation beyond 6 weeks.  At the end of March 2009 we are happy to report that there were no families in shared accommodation. The target of restricting the percentage of repeat homelessness from occurring has been met, with repeat homeless applications remaining below 10% this year.

There are fewer than 10 rough sleepers on any given night in Belfast, due in part to the active 'Street Outreach' services operating in the city and the 'Crash Facility'.  As part of our preventative programme, more than £2.3 million has been invested in a range of programmes covering social inclusion, assessment, education, prisoner advice, mediation, rough sleeper services and rent guarantee schemes.

• You can read our Homelessness Strategy here.

Reasons for homelessness

The main reasons for homelessness are:

• Accommodation deemed unfit for occupation

• Breakdown of shared accommodation arrangements

• Loss of private rented sector accommodation

It is recognised that homelessness is not solely a housing issue. We work in partnership with a variety of Statutory and Voluntary sector partners to enable a comprehensive service to be delivered.