Homeless man dies on streets of Belfast as councillor says situation is ‘beyond crisis’

“The news of another death on the streets of Belfast this morning of a man who is well known to homeless services has sent more fear within the homeless community”

There has been a call for support to help the most vulnerable in Belfast following the news of the death of a homeless man in the city.

Independent North Belfast councillor Paul McCusker said, “homelessness has gone beyond crisis” in the city amid the tragic news that a man was found dead this morning. He is understood to have been well known to homeless services in Belfast with the councillor saying his passing has “sent more fear within the community”.

He has warned that the coming winter months will see homeless and rough sleepers at even greater risk and says that the current system is “not working” as he calls for urgent reform to prevent further deaths.

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Councillor McCusker said: “The news of another death on the streets of Belfast this morning of a man who is well known to homeless services has sent more fear within the homeless community, horrible news for any family to have to receive, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

“Homelessness has gone beyond crisis with more individuals that have no other option but to sleep on our streets and in 2025 we should have no one that has to call the streets their home, outreach teams struggle every day and night to keep those on the streets safe and we have been calling on the NIHE and DFC to urgently put in emergency measures to ensure there is enough access to accommodation every night in Belfast.

“During winter months, the risk increases for those on our streets and sadly, there is more and more individuals that are told by the NIHE that there is nothing available which is something I have been raising for years with the housing executive, the current system is not working and we now need an urgent review and response to prevent more deaths on our streets.

“We are losing too many people on our streets, and we can no longer sit back and allow this to continue.”

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