We exist to prevent and alleviate homelessness in Northern Ireland
Since 1983 we have been tackling homelessness as a membership body for organisations working with people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless.
Whether it’s challenging policy or offering practical support, everything we do is driven by desire to see an end to homelessness. We support individuals, families and organisations – connecting people and services.
We do this by working collaboratively to create a community of support, by being the voice of the sector and by delivering direct assistance to those in need.
What we do
Connecting Services
Our members provide a range of services, from supported temporary accommodation to floating support in the community, from street outreach to drop-in day centres. We connect members with each other and with statutory providers to better co-ordinate services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Connecting People
To truly meet the needs of service users, we need to ensure that the voices of people with lived experiences are heard and listened to. Our ambition is to promote best practice through connecting the right people, including frontline staff, so that we learn, develop and improve together. In doing so, we can co-design better services that will make a real difference to people’s lives.
Membership
Homeless Connect’s membership is made up of a wide range of organisations working in the homelessness sector on the journey to end homelessness.
What brings us together is our commitment to ending homelessness.
Influencing Policy
We provide a voice for the sector and actively engage our members in informing policy, legislation, and practice. This includes articulating the existing and future needs of people who are homeless and informing and influencing the development and implementation of strategy.
Our Projects
FareShare NI
FareShare NI is our regional food sharing project that aims to help people in food poverty by distributing surplus food, donated by the food industry. The food we redistribute is nutritious and good to eat. It reaches charities and community projects across the Northern Ireland including hostels, school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, and community cafes.
Home Starter Pack
Home Starter Packs are essential in helping to ensure a good start, or restart, after some time without a permanent home. By providing packs of essential household goods to those moving into a new tenancy, we can go some way to making a house feel like a home, and help people keep their tenancy going – helping people on their journey.
Lived Experience
At Homeless Connect we believe in the importance of including people with lived experience of homelessness in shaping strategy and bringing about positive change to services. People with lived experience of homelessness have unique insights into what works to prevent and reduce homelessness. We want to make sure that voice is heard.
Northern Ireland Frontline Network
Homeless Connect is partnering with the Frontline Network to deliver the Northern Ireland Frontline Network. The network is aimed at people working or volunteering on the frontline of the homelessness sector, so that their views are heard and they are supported to deal with the challenges that they are facing.
Events
Homeless, not Helpless- NIYF Social Media Campaign
December 4 - December 8
North Down Community Network Community Matters Podcast – Housing & Homelessness Edition
December 4
All Party Group on Homelessness event- Turning the Tide
December 4 @ 2:00 pm
News
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council donates winter woolies to Starter Packs
Winter Woolies Campaign Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has in recent years...
DfC November Housing Bulletin published
On 23 November, the Department of Communities published the latest edition of...
Stuff a Bus launches in bid to tackle hunger this Christmas
Press Release Translink joins forces with FareShare NI, U105 and...
PSNI brief the APG on Homelessness
On Tuesday October 17, the APG on Homelessness received a briefing from four...
A Visit to the Westcourt Social Justice Centre
The Westcourt Social Justice Centre In September Mark Baillie and I visited...
Homelessness Awareness Week 2023
What is Homelessness Awareness Week? Homelessness Awareness Week (HAW) is a...
Latest Homelessness Statistics show over 4,500 children living in temporary accommodation
On September 21 2023, the Department for Communities published the latest...
Homeless Connect Press Release- Over 4,500 children living in temporary accommodation in NI
Over 4,500 Children living in temporary accommodation in NI This morning the...
Homeless Connect responds to Executive Office Free Period Products Consultation
Free Period Products Consultation In 2022, the Northern Ireland Assembly...
Homeless Connect submission to the Intermediate Rent Market Sounding Exercise
Homeless Connect has made a submission to the Department for Communities...
Can you help us bring about change?
We want to work with people who care about those experiencing homelessness. If you think you could give of your time to help we have a wide range of opportunities.
