12 December 2025
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said the high number of deaths among homeless people was a direct consequence of repeated Executive failure.
He was responding to new NISRA figures showing 58 people died on the North’s streets in 2024.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said:
“The scale of deaths among homeless people cannot be ignored. Every one of these 58 people who lost their lives was someone’s son, daughter, mother, father, sister or brother.
“The reasons people become homeless are complex but the Executive’s failure to address the root causes is contributing directly to this crisis. Rising social housing waiting lists, a watered down anti-poverty strategy, the abandonment of a mental health plan and cuts to addiction services are leaving people without the support they need.
“It is only due to the herculean efforts of community and voluntary organisations that this figure is not even higher, yet many of those groups are struggling to secure funding, keep their doors open and meet growing demand. Too many people are falling through the cracks as they are passed between services and temporary accommodation.
“This is a serious societal issue that demands urgent action. We need sustained investment in homelessness prevention, housing, mental health and addiction services alongside early intervention to support people before they reach crisis point. Nobody ends up in this situation by choice and the Executive must finally acknowledge the scale of this problem and act to address it.”