When our drivers were delivering Home Starter Packs to people moving into new tenancies, they began to notice a recurring issue linked to furniture poverty in Northern Ireland. Many of the homes were completely bare, with no furniture, appliances, or even window coverings. Some people were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, others had no cooker or fridge to prepare food, and many had nowhere to sit or eat.
These observations reflect a wider national issue. According to End Furniture Poverty, over six million people in the UK do not have access to essential furniture, furnishings, or appliances. Their report The Extent of Furniture Poverty in the UK found that 9% of adults (4.8 million) and 9% of children (1.2 million) are affected, with around nine million essential items missing from homes across the country. People with disabilities are particularly impacted – 2.6 million adults experiencing furniture poverty have a disability, making them three times more likely to be affected.
Why Furniture Poverty Matters
Social homes are typically unfurnished — often just empty boxes with no furniture, appliances, flooring, or blinds. For people on low incomes in Northern Ireland, these are some of the most expensive items to buy, and furnishing an entire property from scratch can feel impossible. This is why tackling furniture poverty in Northern Ireland is vital.
While some tenants may already have the basics, many do not, especially those moving from homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or transitioning from furnished private rentals into social housing. The consequences go far beyond inconvenience:
• Without a cooker or fridge, people can’t prepare healthy meals or safely store food and medication, leaving them reliant on takeaways or costly ready meals.
• Without a bed, sleep deprivation quickly affects physical and mental health.
• Without a sofa or table, many people feel too embarrassed to invite friends or family into their home, leading to isolation.
Supporting New Beginnings Through Home Starter Packs
Our Home Starter Pack Project helps people moving from homelessness into a new tenancy by providing practical essentials like bedding, cleaning products, ambient food, and small electricals like kettles, toasters, and microwaves. While many of us take these items for granted, these packs are a lifeline for people starting again, helping them settle, cook, clean, and live with dignity from day one.
Expanding Support Through Furniture Vouchers
Recognising that the challenge of furniture poverty in Northern Ireland doesn’t end there, Homeless Connect has introduced a Furniture Voucher Scheme to help people furnish their new homes.
In Belfast and Lisburn, vouchers are available to NIHE clients until the end of December. In Derry/Londonderry, a pilot scheme with Apex, Choice, Woven, and Radius Housing Associations continues into next year. Through our partnership with EBM Restore, voucher holders can visit a Restore shop, choose the items they need, and have them delivered directly to their home. This approach gives people both choice and dignity, empowering them to make their new house feel like their own.
Sustaining Tenancies, Ending Homelessness
A furnished, comfortable home doesn’t just improve quality of life – it helps sustain tenancies and prevent repeat homelessness. When people feel safe, comfortable, and proud of where they live, they’re far more likely to build stability and community around them.
By supporting the Home Starter Pack and Furniture Voucher schemes, you’re helping to combat furniture poverty in Northern Ireland and giving people not just a place to live, but a real home — one where they can rest, recover, and rebuild their lives.
For more information on Home Starter Packs visit our webpage.
