Homeless Connect

During #haw24, First Housing Aid & Support Services will be holding a coffee morning in Derry/Londonderry. Starting at 10.00am on Tuesday December 3, the morning will be a great opportunity to hear more about the brilliant work of First Housing. #timeforchange https://lnkd.in/edMw8kkb

In advance of #haw24, our lived experience co-ordinator Nikki McConville writes about why it is #timeforchange https://lnkd.in/enenzJNd

During #haw24, Housing Rights, the Migration Justice Project and the NACCOM Network will be holding an event entitled "Home- A Place for Everyone." Taking place on Dec 3, the event will help to explore accommodation solutions to help end migrant destitution for people with no recourse to public funds (or restricted eligibility) and refugees. For more information, see our website at the link below. #timeforchange https://lnkd.in/ebAje5Y4

Big thanks to Homelessness Connect for featuring our 2024 Sleep Out! 🌙 We’re excited to make this year’s event even more impactful, and we’d love for you to be part of it. If you’d like to join us, you can register here - https://shorturl.at/jQKks

The first events for this year's Homelessness Awareness Week are now up on our website. You can find details of events organised by Housing Rights, NACCOM, Depaul Ireland, MACS Supporting Children & Young People and First Housing on the page now. There will be a wide range of events right across NI during the week starting Monday 2 December. As and when we receive the details for the events, we will update the events page on our website. Be a part of seeking the change we so urgently need to see when it comes to homelessness. #haw24 #TimeForChange https://lnkd.in/erSEyEbf

Last week, in an answer to an Assembly Question from Ciara Ferguson MLA, the Minister for Communities published statistics showing the number of people and the number of households on the social housing waiting list with homelessness status broken down by council area. Over the last decade, the number of people with homelessness status on the list has risen to 58,238 on June 30 2024. This is a staggering rise of 135.5% from 24,729 in March 2014. 33,509 more individuals had homelessness status in June 2024 than in March 2014. Ten of NI's eleven councils recorded at least a doubling in the number of people on the list with homelessness status. Homelessness is growing in every part of NI, not just in urban areas. There is widespread recognition across NI's political parties that we are in a housing and homelessness crisis. It is undeniable that far too many people are unable to access the housing they so desperately need. This has far reaching consequences not only for people in this situation, but also wider society. If these numbers are ever going to fall, we need investment in more social homes as well as investment in the homelessness sector. The NI Executive has to step up alongside statutory and voluntary and community partners to deliver real and meaningful change. https://lnkd.in/eDsYJN_Q

Homelessness Awareness Week 2024 is taking place between 2-8 December 2024. The theme of HAW 2024 is #timeforchange. The number of households with homelessness status on the social housing waiting list has reached unprecedented levels, with over 58,000 people from over 30,000 households now having this status. With over 5,100 children living in temporary accommodation and the number of households needing this support continuing to rise, we urgently need as a society to drive forward real and meaningful change. Find out how you can be a part of it on our website: https://lnkd.in/eNWqi5vy

Thanks to Andrew McMurray MLA for taking the time to meet with us and MACS Supporting Children & Young People this afternoon to talk about homelessness in South Down in advance of an adjournment debate he is bringing next week at the Assembly. Over the last decade, the number of people on the social housing waiting list with homelessness status in Newry, Mourne and Down has risen by 115%, from 2536 people in March 2014 to 5447 in June 2024. Change is urgently needed. (Source AQW 14882/ 22-27) Rosie Meek Kate Martin

It was amazing to be invited to speak at Homeless Connect Conference sharing Social Bite journey and our 3 live village projects.

We've had excellent feedback from the conference last week. As a senior official said to me today, there was a real sense of community and togetherness. We had excellent speakers too and we were delighted to have Professor Paddy Gray involved! Overall, I felt there was openness, honesty, willingness and hope. We will be sending out the slides shortly to delegates. If you weren't able to attend but would like to keep in touch about our events let us know by contacting [email protected] We also offer membership https://lnkd.in/eKQPTMqp