Turning the tide on homelessness

This week is Homelessness Awareness Week in Northern Ireland and the chosen hashtag #TurnTheTide takes center stage. It's more than just a phrase; it's a call to action, carefully selected to empower the vital messages being delivered by those working tirelessly to support the most vulnerable in our society.

To ‘turn the tide’ means to reverse a situation. In our case, it's about reversing the homelessness crisis gripping our country. We must see a decline in housing stress, an increase in social homes, and a reduction in the use of temporary accommodation. This week prompts reflection on how we can collectively reverse the alarming trend of homelessness affecting too many lives in Northern Ireland.

Homelessness is a multifaceted issue, extending beyond those sleeping rough on the streets. It encompasses various situations, from staying with friends or family to living in poor conditions damaging to health. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, mandated to respond to homelessness, has a statutory duty to provide interim and/or permanent accommodation based on investigations and assessments.

The current situation is worrisome, with rates of statutory homelessness in Northern Ireland higher than anywhere else in the UK, according to the NI Human Rights Commission. Chief commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick emphasises the urgent need to recognise housing as a basic legal human right to address this complex and escalating predicament.

The statistics paint a stark reality and troubling picture, with 45,105 households on the social housing waiting list as of March 2023. Of those, 32,633 are in housing stress, and 26,305 are ‘full duty applicants’ – people owed a duty under homelessness legislation.

These numbers represent real people facing vulnerability due to family disputes, domestic violence, or the loss of long-term rented homes. Shockingly, 3,532 children were classed as homeless from January to June this year.

While the situation seems dire, several organisations are actively working to turn the tide on homelessness. Ark Housing's Floating Support service, the Homelessness Prevention Forum, the Complex Lives Initiative, Hosford, Extern Homes, Homeless Connect, First Housing Aid and Support Services, and Simon Community are among those making a real impact.

From supporting individuals in obtaining and sustaining accommodation to preventing homelessness through education and collaboration, these initiatives offer a glimmer of hope. They understand that addressing homelessness goes beyond providing shelter – it's about creating a community of support and helping individuals build a better future.

As we await the return of an NI Executive, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the homelessness problem. However, there are wide-ranging support and successes in place in our communities. Each person we help today is a step toward changing lives, one at a time.

The challenge is vast, requiring funding for homes and support services. Still, by refocusing our efforts on helping one person in need, we can initiate a chain reaction of positive change. Let's celebrate the small victories, knowing that each life transformed today sets the stage for the next one, until we can collectively tackle the mountain and make the systemic changes needed to #TurnTheTide on homelessness once and for all.