The fifth person to die on the streets in recent weeks, the South Belfast representative said that while services on the ground were working effectively, they remained stretched and unsupported from the relevant Executive departments.
Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown said: “It is absolutely heart-breaking to learn of another person dying on the streets of Belfast.
“Belfast City Council’s role is limited when it comes to dealing with these issues and this latest death highlights again the failure of Executive departments to tackle what is clearly a cross-cutting issue.
“While Belfast City Council continues to support those services making a difference, the Department for Social Development and the Health Service must step up and work together to close the current gap. Crucially, they must resource it also.
“With issues linked to homelessness including mental health and substance abuse, those two Departments must ensure an actionable plan is put in place to support all those in need, before any more people fall through the cracks in the system.”