Homeless charity calls for Stormont promise to end rough sleeping

A charity supporting homeless people in Belfast is launching a charter to end the growing problem of rough sleeping.

The initiative from the People’s Kitchen Belfast will launch at Stormont on Monday afternoon, with those in attendance to include the Justice Minister Naomi Long, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.

Paul McCusker from the organisation said there had sadly been a “significant increase” in individuals having to call the streets their home.

“Within Belfast and across Northern Ireland we are seeing a growing and deepening crisis,” he said.

“The reasons are many and complex – shortage of real and emergency housing, mental health issues, trauma, addiction, domestic violence, poverty, relationship breakdowns, lack of planning for those released from custody, to name but a few.”

Calling rough sleepers “the demonised, the ostracised, the forgotten and the unseen,” he said they should be viewed as “people with problems, not problem people.”

The Charter to End Rough Sleeping states: “A doorway is not a bed, however, sadly, for many, it is.

“Every person sleeping rough has a story to tell. Every person is someone’s son, daughter, father or mother.

“Each person has a right to be treated with dignity and compassion. It is recognised that people experiencing rough sleeping may have issues based in trauma and require and deserve wrap around supports.”

Referencing the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which states: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person,” the charter said it must not be accepted by modern society where the street is seen as an adequate provision for anyone.

Those signing the charter pledge will work towards the end of rough sleeping by the end of the current Assembly mandate.