Homeless figures in Northern Ireland surge, pressuring charities already facing major funding and service challenges.
New data came out from the Department for Communities. The data showed the number of households increased and were on the social housing list. It looks at September to December 2024. By December, 48,325 households needed social housing, 30,982 of them were homeless.
The social housing waiting list grew in the last decade. It rose 23%, from 2015 to 2024, increasing from 39,338 to 48,325. Homeless households increased even more during that time, growing 127%, from 13,644 to 30,982. Worryingly, that number increases yearly.
Belfast has the most households needing help. 9,661 households in the city are “homeless,” more than doubling since 2015. Derry and Strabane are next on the list. They have 4,344 homeless households now. Newry, Mourne and Down are also struggling, with 2,780 households. Seven of eleven council areas saw rises since September.
Nicola McCrudden leads Homeless Connect. After the data came out, she spoke up and said the numbers are bad news. These numbers represent real people, she emphasized, who deserve the basic right of housing. Charities are working hard to help those people.
Nicola said that her sector’s charities face “major challenges.” Rising costs will heavily impact their social services work, further increased by Employer National Insurance. Consistent funding shortages already trouble the sector. Unless the government steps in, tough choices loom.
Services and staffing could face heavy cuts in April. This would diminish their ability to support people and put more pressure onto the struggling system. This could cost the public more overall.
Nicola urges Northern Ireland to prioritize homelessness and increase the housing available, stating that directly. She wants a housing outcome in the government program and a Housing Supply Strategy for real change. Prevention needs consistent, long-term funding she explained.
She hopes to see specific goals for reducing homelessness. In 2024, only 1,346 social homes finished, way below what is needed. Building and maintaining social housing is key to help those experiencing homelessness.