No Shelter from the Storm – Northern Ireland’s Homelessness Crisis
By Rebecca Carlin
Coming into the holiday season, we often picture Belfast as a vibrant city coming to life with Christmas celebrations. However, behind the façade of festivities lies an ongoing homelessness crisis that has seen a troubling rise in recent years and becomes even more prevalent around this time of year. There has never been a more appropriate time to discuss how serious of a crisis this is, especially in light of the shocking remarks made by (now-former) Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who claimed that, for many people, living on the streets is a “lifestyle choice” and that:
“There are options for people who don’t want to be sleeping rough.”
As we approach Homelessness Awareness NI Week, taking place from December 4–10, this discussion is particularly pertinent.
Northern Ireland is facing an escalating crisis that is often unseen, but undeniably severe. Around 250 people find themselves with nowhere to live each week, and without the proper governmental support to make a difference, this number is only likely to increase. According to the NI Homelessness Bulletin, with most recent statistics spanning January-June 2023, there are currently around 8500 homeless presenters in Northern Ireland, 62% of which were defined as ‘statutorily homeless.’ In NI, under the Northern Ireland Housing Order 1988, the Housing Executive is tasked with responding to the demands of the crisis and it places a statutory duty on them to provide accommodation for certain homeless households. However, the demand on both governmental and charitable facilities is immense. Whilst many understand homelessness to just amount to rough sleeping and living on the streets, this definition also encompasses those who have been accepted by the Housing Executive as homeless, often living in temporary accommodation, unsuitable housing, or in need of a safe place to call home. Furthermore, this statistic only consists of the official figures and there are often more that will not appear in statistics, as this part of the crisis often doesn’t make it to the media. While NI doesn’t have the same level of street homelessness (rough sleeping) as other parts of the UK, it is still a very hidden problem in this country. Public perception of the issue often means that the largely invisible problem of homelessness in NI is leaving people without the support that is desperately needed. The demand for support is extortionate, with the Simon Community (Northern Ireland’s leading homeless charity) describing their struggles managing the increasing demand on their services, with just one in fifteen who seek help being offered shelter. With the current cost of living crisis, many people cannot afford rising rent and mortgage prices. This amongst reasons such as family/relationship breakdowns, domestic violence, and loss of rented accommodation has resulted in a greater demand than ever. With a particular rise in homelessness among youth, the Simon Community reports that nearly half of those experiencing homelessness were under 30, with the charity supporting 33 people under the age of 18 with temporary accommodation in the past year. Furthermore, an additional 45 families, including 65 children were assisted through the charity’s family accommodation services in 2022/23. This trend emphasises the need for proper intervention to combat the problem of homelessness.
Around this time of year, the crisis is exacerbated by harsher weather, especially for those who sleep rough. This is often the most visible and dangerous form of homelessness; it is the most associated image with homelessness and rightly causes the most concern, yet many people attach a level of stigma to those who sleep rough. Many people view homeless people as at fault for their own circumstances, with the issue often associated with addiction and substance abuse, despite the causes being multifaceted.
Negative misconceptions surrounding rough sleeping only further isolate individuals, with many facing risks of violence, verbal abuse and harassment – those sleeping on the street are almost 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence and 15 times more likely to have suffered verbal abuse in the past year compared to the general public, according to a study done by Crisis, a leading UK Homelessness Charity. The suffering of people who experience rough sleeping on a physical and mental health front, alongside the safety risks, is immense. While homelessness can “be both a cause and a consequence of mental illness,” numerous studies have found a strong link between homelessness and an array of mental health conditions, with a higher prevalence of ill mental health in the homeless population and little to no support to deal with it. This, combined with the immense stigma towards those who are homeless, creates a negative public perception of rough sleepers and often leads to ill treatment of those who find themselves in that situation.
This festive season makes things especially difficult, while others are enjoying the home comforts the season brings, many are simply struggling to stay safe and escape the harsh outdoors. Speaking to BBC News NI, chief executive of the Simon Community, Jim Dennison, described how Northern Ireland is heading towards a “homelessness disaster” as “we are seeing a lot more street homelessness and street activity, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. […] Even just being out with a coat on in -2 degrees is bad, but having to sleep through the night in that is absolutely horrendous.” The demand for services in NI is already extortionate, and this time of year merely highlights the severe need for increased support and intervention.
The homelessness crisis in Northern Ireland is reaching critical levels and demands immediate attention, compassion and active solutions. As these hidden struggles become prevalent in our society, it is essential for the community, policymakers and support organisations to work towards the goal of ensuring everyone has a place to call home.
There are many ways which we can help, and therefore some local drives and charities to get involved with have been listed below:
Welcome Organisation: https://www.homelessbelfast.org/donate
Simon Community: https://simoncommunity.org/get-involved/christmas-at-simon-2023 https://www.qub.ac.uk/events/whats-on/featured/workshophomelessnessawareness.html
Homeless Connect: https://homelessconnect.org/donate/
https://simoncommunity.org/about
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63885117
Edited by Sarah Michaelides
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