Our Homeless Prevention Services offer practical, person-centred support to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Northern Ireland. From essential supplies for people sleeping rough to household items for those moving into a new home, our services are designed to reduce hardship, protect dignity, and help people build stability in their lives. This is what we do.
Our Health Support Programme
The Health Support Program provides practical, consistent support to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across Northern Ireland. Funded by the Public Health Agency, the programme works in partnership with trusted frontline organisations to reach people who are most at risk and most in need.
Who we work with
We accept referrals through four partner organisations:
Women’s Aid
Horn of Africa
NIACRO (supporting people leaving prison and their families)
The Welcome Organisation, including Catherine House and Glenview House hostels
Who the programme supports
The Health Support Program supports people experiencing:
Chronic homelessness
Domestic violence
Migration and refugee-related homelessness
Individuals leaving prison
What the programme provides
The programme delivers weekly food and hygiene packs to the same individuals, providing reliable support that helps improve wellbeing, reduce hardship, and bring stability to day-to-day life.
The programme also supports people who are receiving Home Starter Packs, helping individuals moving into a new tenancy with additional essentials as they settle and rebuild.
Home Starter Packs
Home Starter Packs help people moving into a new tenancy by providing essential household items needed to make a house feel like a home from day one. Many properties are unfurnished, particularly for people moving on from homelessness or crisis situations. Home Starter Packs reduce the immediate financial pressure of setting up a home and support dignity, comfort, and stability.
Applying for a Home Starter Pack
Home Starter Packs are accessed by referral only and must be requested by a Housing Association. Tenants cannot apply directly. Housing Associations submit referrals that are processed by Homeless Connect.
A bespoke Home Starter Pack is prepared based on items selected by the Housing Association. Our team contacts the tenant to arrange delivery and delivers the pack, along with an ambient food box, and household cleaning items directly to the new home.
What’s Included
Each Home Starter Pack includes a comprehensive range of essential household items, such as small electricals, bedding, kitchenware, and cleaning equipment. Items typically include a microwave, kettle, toaster, slow cooker, iron and ironing board, bedding and mattress protector, towels, dinner set, pots and pans, cutlery, light bulbs, cleaning equipment, and other everyday essentials. Each Housing Association chooses its own bespoke pack to ensure items meet the needs of their tenants and reflect the type of accommodation being provided.
Working with Housing Associations
We work in close partnership with Housing Associations across Northern Ireland to ensure timely, practical support. Clear communication throughout the process ensures transparency, shared accountability, and confidence that tenants have received the support they need.
Together, we help tenants settle into their homes, reduce financial pressure, improve wellbeing, and support long-term tenancy sustainment.
If you have any other questions about our Home Starter Pack scheme, please get in touch. We’d be happy to help as best we can.
Email us at starterpacks@homelessconnect.org
Rough Sleeper Packs
Why Rough Sleeper Packs Matter
Rough sleeping can be isolating, frightening, and dangerous, particularly during colder months. For people without a safe place to stay, access to warm, practical essentials can make a real difference to comfort, dignity, and wellbeing.
What the Packs Provide
Rough Sleeper Packs offer immediate, practical support for people sleeping rough. Distributed twice a year, the packs are designed to provide warmth and protection when it is most needed.
Each pack includes:
Sleeping bag
Anorak
Hat
Gloves
Socks
Underwear
How Packs Are Distributed
Rough Sleeper Packs are supplied to frontline organisations that work directly with people sleeping on the streets. These trusted services distribute the packs based on need and alongside wider advice and support.
Supporting Pathways Out of Homelessness
By delivering packs through frontline services, we help ensure that practical support is combined with opportunities to access housing, health services, and longer-term support. This approach helps protect people in the short term while supporting routes out of homelessness.
