Proposed departmental budget cuts will have “severe consequences” for those experiencing or facing homelessness in the north, it has been warned.
Ahead of a new minister being nominated in the days ahead as the Stormont Executive is revived, the Department of Finance (DoF) permanent secretary has received an open letter from housing groups warning that “some of the most vulnerable members of our society” will suffer under budget restrictions.
Last year Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris allocated the Department for Communities (DfC) £861m as part of a budget in the absence of an Executive, amounting to a 15.5% reduction in day-to-day spending.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the Homeless Connect group have written an open letter to DoF permanent secretary Neil Gibson warning the cuts will have a drastic impact on waiting lists for social housing and those already experiencing homelessness in the north.
- Proposed budget cuts ‘could see £7m slashed from homelessness services’Opens in new window
- PLATFORM: Well-planned and funded interventions could make huge difference in tackling homelessnessOpens in new window
- Controversial north Belfast housing development at peace line gets final green lightOpens in new window
Waiting lists are at an all-time high, with 45,615 households on the list and 4,469 households in temporary accommodation.
The letter has been endorsed by 15 housing organisations and calls for a review of the likely impact of the cuts on housing.
Last year the CIH was one of four groups to address the same concerns in an open letter to the DfC permanent secretary, Colum Boyle.
CIH national director for Northern Ireland, Justin Cartwright said groups were “deeply troubled”, adding: “The proposed cuts to the capital budget are particularly alarming, as they threaten to impede the construction of much-needed social housing at a time when the demand has reached unprecedented levels.
“The construction of new social homes is not merely a statistic; it is a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable individuals and families facing housing stress.
“Beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, there are broader economic ramifications to consider. Investment in social housing has consistently demonstrated a powerful multiplier effect on the economy, creating jobs, stimulating local businesses, and contributing to overall economic prosperity.”
Chief executive of Homeless Connect, Nicola McCrudden, said: “Over the last decade, the number of households with homelessness status has more than doubled to reach over 27,500. The need for temporary accommodation is the highest I can recall and is increasing month on month. The pressure on the system cannot continue and we fear for the consequences if funding for housing and homelessness isn’t given the priority it needs.
The Department for Finance was contacted for comment.
