Executive Summary

Since 1983, Homeless Connect has worked to prevent and address homelessness across Northern Ireland. As an umbrella body, we bring together more than forty independent organisations operating in the homelessness sector. We also engage closely with people who have direct experience of homelessness, ensuring their perspectives shape both policy and practice. Alongside this, we deliver services that provide practical support to individuals and communities – including tenancy sustainment and the redistribution of surplus nutritious food to charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Homeless Connect strongly endorses the proposals set out in this consultation. The evidence is clear: access to naloxone saves lives in Northern Ireland. In 2024/25 alone, naloxone was administered on 197 occasions – meaning there are people alive today who would not be, had this medication not been available at the moment it was needed. This impact is reflected consistently in the experiences reported by our member organisations, who have witnessed first-hand the difference that timely access to naloxone can make.

We are satisfied that the proposed measures will extend access to naloxone in a way that is both safe and responsible, and we are fully supportive of the consultation’s aims in this regard.

You can read our full response here.