Homelessness increased by 63% in city

Between 2001 and 2011 the number of people on the housing waiting list in the city increased every single year from 1,493 to 2,993.

Although, it dropped back slightly to 2,762 in 2012 the percentage increase over the decade remained a staggering 85 per cent.

During the same period the amount of people presenting as homeless in the city increased from 1,013 to 1,655 - a slightly less pronounced increase of 63 per cent.

Housing Minister Nelson McCausland revealed the increase in homelessness in response to an Assembly Question.

The Sentinel recently reported how some private landlords and companies were paid over half-a-million pounds from the Housing Executive last year.

Housing Minister Nelson McCausland revealed the top ten amounts of Housing Benefit paid to landlords/companies across Northern Ireland during 2011/12 were £545,942; £521,399; £521,344; £483,647; £419,552; £369,421; £359,760; £357,791; £351,108 and £336,767.

The revelation followed a report by the Sentinel in July, which revealed private landlords were paid nearly £1.5m by the Housing Executive in 2011/12 to provide temporary accommodation in Londonderry.