A Summary of the speech by Minister Gordon Lyons MLA

Driving Change: New Approaches to Homelessness in Northern Ireland

At the recent Northern Ireland Homelessness Conference 2025, Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons delivered an address outlining new approaches to homelessness and the Assembly’s commitment to tackling the issue through prevention, innovation, and collaboration. The speech highlighted both achievements and ongoing challenges in improving housing provision across the region, emphasising the importance of cross-sector partnership and long-term investment. Some of the key takeaways from his speech are set out below:

Progress on Housing Supply

The Minister highlighted the critical role of safe and affordable housing in preventing homelessness. Housing starts have risen by 13% over the past year, with more than 9,000 new social homes constructed in the last five years. As of July 2025, 5,500 social homes are under construction, supported by a budget of £177.5 million for new social housing this financial year. While progress is being made, the Minister acknowledged that supply still falls short of demand, and efforts to expand new builds are ongoing.

New Housing Initiatives

Several new programmes were highlighted to address housing challenges:

• Intermediate Rent Project: Aimed at providing 300 affordable units to lower-income households.
• Loan to Acquire Move-on Accommodation Scheme (LAMA): A £10 million capital fund supporting charities to provide long-term, well-managed private sector accommodation.

These initiatives are designed to provide more stable housing options for those currently unable to access social homes, offering both security and affordability.

Shifting to Prevention

The Minister emphasised the importance of a prevention-focused approach. This includes early intervention strategies and strategic funding for innovative projects. The Minister mentioned the £2.5 million he decided to ringfence for the purposes of strategic homelessness prevention. This has led to over 40 projects being funded right across this society.

£2.5 million ring-fenced for strategic homelessness prevention. Long-term, predictable funding was highlighted as essential for effective planning and maintaining quality services.

Collaboration Across Departments

Minister Lyons outlined that in his view cross-departmental cooperation is central to the government’s strategy. The Supporting People Programme received £33 million for homelessness services in 2024/5, enabling essential housing support that also positively impacts health, justice, and broader social outcomes. The Minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts between government departments, civil servants, and sector organisations.

Spotlight on Impact

The Minister referred to a recent visit he had made to Grays Court, a residential scheme for post-substance-abuse recovery in North Belfast. The service, which is run by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, supports seven residents helping people rebuild. Some past residents have said that the service was literally life-saving.  However, demand far exceeds supply, highlighting the urgent need for expansion and investment.

Supporting Young People

A key focus is on young people leaving care. The new Foundations Pilot Programme will provide settled, affordable accommodation alongside wraparound support, ensuring young people can transition successfully to independent living. The Minister stated that he intended to launch this initiative during Homelessness Awareness Week 2025, demonstrating a proactive approach to prevention.

A Call to Action

The Minister concluded by urging all stakeholders – government, frontline staff, and sector organisations – to collaborate, innovate, and use all available tools to address homelessness. Recognising the dedication of staff and volunteers, the Minister reinforced the importance of sustained funding, supportive policies, and collective action to ensure that everyone has access to safe, secure, and affordable housing.