Gordon Lyons allocates £6.7m to tackle homelessness

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive became responsible for addressing homelessness in Northern Ireland in 1989.

In 2022, it published a strategy called “Ending Homelessness Together”, aimed at tackling the issue.

“Homeless sector organisations have been working with great uncertainty this year, relying on month-to-month budgets,” its chief executive Grainia Long said.

“It is a relief to be able to give them some level of financial certainty over the winter months,” she added.

Ms Long also praised the change of approach on tackling homelessness, with more focus on prevention.

She said the bespoke funding to prevent homelessness will provide “resources to tackle homelessness at source”.