Housing Executive chief Grainia Long has said she “fully expects” more visible signs of homelessness on our streets and further risk of death due to pressures currently faced in the demand for temporary accommodation and associated services.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Long said the Housing Executive will need “£42-44m” in order to meet funding needs this year and said she as yet does not have any guarantee that need will be met.
Services such as those provided by the Welcome Organisation are at the risk of cuts if funding needs are not met, she added.
“We fully expect more visible signs of homelessness on our streets and there is a risk of death,” she said.
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The pandemic has driven the growth of homelessness along with other factors, the chief executive said.
“People who were living sofa surfing and in unsuitable accommodation had to move quickly,” she said. Private landlords left the sector and also people also arrived in Northern Ireland and seeking leave to remain.
It meant the growth of people in temporary accommodation has now resulted in 4,500 a year requiring the service.
Ms Long said she is hopeful a solution can be found to the issues faced by the Welcome Organisation.
It comes after SDLP councillor Paul Doherty called for an urgent response to five recent deaths on our streets and said he’s working with the Welcome Organisation to establish new premises. It follows a recent arson attack and graffiti threatening construction workers was sprayed.
A view of menacing graffiti in west Belfast (David Young/PA)
Stormont’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he has “reached out” to the Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons “to see what more can be done” in the wake of the closure of the Welcome Organisation’s headquarters in the Divis area last month.
It’s understood the INLA is responsible for the sinister threat.
“I would like offer my heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who have lost their lives,” Mr Nesbitt told the Belfast Telegraph.
“Too many people across Northern Ireland have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one because of homelessness, mental health and substance use related issues.
“Some weeks ago, I accepted an invitation to meet with a number of bereaved families and that meeting is scheduled for later this month.”