Homelessness: shock figures show "deepening crisis" across Northern Ireland

The shock extent of homelessness is laid bare today - with new figures highlighting a growing crisis across Northern Ireland..

Latest statistics show more than 58,000 are now homeless - that is 1 in 33 of Northern Ireland's population.

Alarmingly, homelessness among young people showing a significant rise with a third of those who are officially homeless under the age of 18.

Leading homeless charity, the Simon Community, says families make up almost 60% of those who are currently homeless and families often experience homelessness repeatedly, passing down the cycle from parents to children.

A spokesperson said: "Over the past six months, over 8,000 households have presented as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

"This equates to 45 homeless presentations every single day.

"That’s 45 families, pensioners or young people who have nowhere to go."

A special week to highlight the alarming extent of the issue begins Monday.

And to mark Homelessness Awareness Week, Downtown Radio & Cool FM are running a special news feature to highlight the rising problem with the number of homeless up by an incredible 135% over the past decade.

The run-up to Christmas is a particularly busy time for charities such as the Simon Community which over the last 12 months, has responded to nearly 18,000 calls from people in need of help to its freephone support line,

That is an average of one call every 29 minutes and represents a 12% increase in demand in just 12 months.

The spokesperson added: "We have supported over 1000 people through our 21 accommodation sites or support services.

"A third of those we help are under the age of 25 and 1 in 10 are care leavers.

"Nearly a half of the people we helped this year needed supported with their mental health, while a quarter needed help with their physical health."

Meanwhile, Homeless Connect, the representative body for the homelessness sector, is calling for "urgent change" to tackle what it says is a "deepening homelessness crisis across Northern Ireland."

Nicola McCrudden, Chief Executive of Homeless Connect, branded statistics “harrowing”,

She added: “We are facing an extraordinary challenge when it comes to homelessness across the country. We have reached a tipping point, and urgent action is needed – it is without a doubt, time for change.

"These figures are more than numbers; every statistic represents a person or family without the safety of a place to call home.

"They represent the lives of children growing up without stability, moving from place to place, and unable to feel a sense of belonging or security, something many of us understandably take for granted.”

Homelessness Awareness Week in Northern Ireland runs from 2nd – 8th December 2024.

Full details of the events can be found on https://homelessconnect.org/homelessness-awareness-week-2024/

You can also follow Homeless Connect on Facebook @HomelessConnectNI, LinkedIn and X @HomelessNI and engage during the week using the hashtags #HAW24 and #TimeForChange

Meanwhile, for the Simon Community NI which has a number of Accommodation Projects across Northern Ireland, you can contact its central office:

Tel: 028 9023 2882

Email: info@simoncommunity.org

Unit 15 North City Business Park, 2 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GG

If you need help, contact the charity's Homeless Support Line

Tel: 0800 171 2222

Email: help@simoncommunity.org