On 26 February, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) at the Northern Ireland Assembly published its final report on ‘Homelessness in Northern Ireland.’
Homeless Connect and our member organisations, Depaul and Simon Community, had the opportunity to give evidence to the Committee both orally and in writing. Collectively, the three charities welcome the recommendations set out in the report and look forward to working with statutory partners on their implementation in the months and years ahead.
Commenting on the report, Nicola McCrudden, Chief Executive of Homeless Connect, said:
“Homeless Connect commends the Committee for its strong endorsement of the importance of shifting the homelessness system towards prevention. The Committee are completely correct to assert that homelessness prevention must be prioritised. We know that the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive are convinced of the importance of this shift. However, for it to be realised, we need the NI Executive collectively to commit to this approach and, crucially, to back it up with long‑term, consistent funding.
Yet despite widespread agreement on the vital importance of shifting towards prevention, the Department for Communities has outlined in its response to the draft Budget for 2026–2029/30 that both the Community Prevention and Support Programme and the Strategic Prevention Programme—two vitally important funds for homelessness prevention—are under threat if the initial budget allocation to the Department is confirmed. If funding for these programmes was reduced or ended, it would run directly contrary to the approach recommended by the PAC and the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. It would make no strategic sense whatsoever and would have deeply damaging consequences for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Such a move should not even be considered by the NI Executive in the midst of an ongoing and deepening housing and homelessness crisis.”
David Carroll, CEO of Depaul, said:
“Homelessness is a complex issues that requires a multi-layered approach from government and society. It requires all of government to contribute to the solutions. One of the most important recommendations made today is the call for a strategic review of the HSSG within six months of this report, to include appropriate levels of membership and roles and responsibilities. It is imperative to get the real decision makers around the table who have the power to commit resources from their departments. Chief amongst them is the Department of Health who have a critical role in supporting those with the greatest needs and complexities in the homeless population.
The specific focus on the reduction of unsuitable and expensive temporary accommodation is critical if we are to provide better value for the public purse but also to intervene constructively for those with complex needs who find themselves in homelessness. Therefore Depaul particularly welcome the call from the committee to recommend that within six months the Housing Executive publishes details of its plans to purchase the 600 homes designated for temporary accommodation. Depaul would call for a proportion of these properties to be designated as Housing first type accommodation aimed at getting rough sleepers off the street. ”
Jim Dennison, CEO of Simon Community, said:
“Simon Community welcome the Committee’s report which confirms what frontline services have long known: our approach to homelessness must change.
We endorse the recommendation that official reporting must be more people-focused – something Simon Community has long called for. Reporting only the number of households experiencing homelessness minimises the devastating human impact of not having a safe place to call home. Right now, more than 62,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Northern Ireland. Official statistics must reflect this reality so that we can properly measure and respond to the true cost of homelessness.
We are also pleased to see a strong emphasis on prevention which must be central to the approach to tackling homelessness, not an afterthought. For many, the roots of homelessness begin months or even years before losing your home. If we are serious about prevention, we must intervene earlier before crisis takes hold. Introducing a Statutory Duty on Prevention would be a vital first step in shifting resources towards stopping homelessness before it happens.
The report rightly identifies increasing housing supply as key to preventing and ending homelessness. Across Northern Ireland, people and families remain trapped in hotels, B&Bs and temporary accommodation, losing hope of a home of their own. The Executive have stated that delivering more social and affordable housing is a priority, but so far funding for this has fallen well short of what is required. Until funding matches ambition and need, services will remain under intense pressure and people will continue to face uncertainty.
Every day at Simon Community, we see the toll homelessness takes – families torn apart, children growing up in instability and young people living without hope for their future. But this is not inevitable. This report sets out a clear direction for change. The next step must be action.”
