Belfast is on the brink of a public health emergency following a spate of deaths among the most vulnerable, an SDLP councilor has said.
here are 15 deaths of the capital’s most vulnerable recently.
Paul McCusker has worked with the homeless for 10 years and said he had never seen so much despair and devastation on the streets.
He called an emergency meeting on Friday between the council, Stormont departments and statutory agencies to discuss the recent rise in deaths among those affected by homelessness and addiction.
“This is a city in crisis and it’s getting to the point where we’re going to have to call a public health emergency (because) so many people are dying in a very short time,” he told the BBC.
“Something must be done to intervene to prevent more deaths and protect the most vulnerable in the city.”
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A march and demonstration are planned for Belfast on Saturday afternoon to call for government action.
It is organized by the People’s Kitchen and homeless charities, supported by the Unite trade union.
They said the death of a young woman brought the recent number of homeless deaths to 15.
In a statement, Belfast City Council said Lord Mayor Tina Black hosted a meeting between councilors and representatives from the PSNI, the Housing Executive, Belfast City Trust, the Department of Health, the Department for Communities, the Department of Justice and the Public Health Agency , to discuss the situation.
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Ms Black said the council would continue to act as a city organizer to support the ongoing work of Stormont’s departments and statutory agencies to find solutions to tackle the complex problems of addiction and homelessness and to end long-term homelessness in the city.
“At today’s meeting the council and elected members reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the work of relevant bodies in justice, health and communities to help those who are vulnerable and in need of support,” she said.
Unite regional co-ordinator Susan Fitzgerald called for participation in Saturday’s march.
“Our union encourages others to join this march to demand action on homelessness,” she said.
“There have been 15 homeless deaths on our streets so far this year; this charge is an indictment of Stormont.
“It is sickening that in our society so many people are brutalized by poverty, addiction and abuse and then simply left to fend for themselves with little or no support.
“Essentially, we need to address the root cause of homelessness. We need public housing and fully funded, expanded addiction and counseling services run by the NHS.
“Right now we need immediate action. Stormont must act and provide supported accommodation for all homeless people; in particular that they are delivering on the promise to vulnerable women who have been left with no choice since the closure of Regina Coeli House.’
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