NIHE: ‘Record-breaking’ emergency housing demand over weekend

However, the NIHE has refuted this claim.

A spokesperson said: “We do not accept that we failed any legal duty to homeless presenters this week.”

“[On Saturday] we faced unprecedented and record-breaking levels of people presenting to us seeking emergency temporary accommodation.”

The NIHE added severe flooding caused by hours of heavy rainfall following Storm Bert meant resources were “extremely stretched”.

“Immense pressure was placed on the limited availability of temporary accommodation as a result of this week’s extreme weather conditions.”

The NIHE said its teams were “active, on the ground, at a number of locations” over the weekend.

“Seventy-six people presented themselves to the Housing Executive’s out-of-hours service during Saturday. This figure would normally be around 20.

“We know that at least four of the 76 were as a direct result of the flooding”.

Over the weekend, NIHE said more than 4,500 households availed of temporary accommodation.

The NIHE added that 11,000 households have benefited from this support over the last year.

“We always strive to ensure that everyone presenting to us is cared for and yesterday additional crash bed facilities were made available to help those in need.

“As stated, the situation faced by our teams on Saturday night was unprecedented and we will continue to assist the most vulnerable in our community as we have done consistently.”