Executive Summary
Homeless Connect has responded to the Housing Executive’s consultation on its Draft Supporting People (SP) Strategic Intent for 2026 to 2031. The Supporting People programme is one of the most funding streams for homelessness services in Northern Ireland. It provides funding for temporary accommodation and floating support right across this society. The Strategic Intent for 2026-31 will play a key role in determining the direction the programme takes in the next five years.
We welcome the clarity of the Draft Supporting People (SP) Strategic Intent 2026–2031 and broadly supports Strategic Aims. However, we would emphasise that the success of the strategy depends on addressing two foundational issues not sufficiently reflected in the draft: workforce sustainability and financial stability for providers and service users.
Core Messages
- Workforce Development is Critical: The SP programme relies on an estimated 4,000 staff, yet recruitment and retention challenges—exacerbated by long‑term underfunding—pose a major barrier to delivering the strategy’s aims. Homeless Connect calls for a dedicated strategic aim or explicit actions around workforce planning, upskilling, and sustainability to be included in the final document.
- Long-Term Funding Stability is Essential: A decade of funding freezes has led to real‑terms cuts. Recent uplifts are welcome but insufficient to repair historic underinvestment. Multi‑year budgets and predictable allocations are vital to allow providers to plan and maintain services.
You can read our full response here.
