NIHE Reports Unprecedented Demand for Emergency Housing Over Weekend

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) reported encountering “unprecedented and record-breaking levels” of individuals requesting emergency accommodation. The NIHE stated that despite “immense pressure” on its services during the weekend, over 4,500 households utilized temporary accommodation. It was noted that a portion of these households had previously been using temporary accommodation. The NIHE also confirmed that extra crash bed facilities were provided on Saturday. A statement from the NIHE affirmed, “We always strive to ensure that everyone presenting to us is cared for.” The People’s Kitchen, a charity based in Belfast that assists homeless and vulnerable individuals, expressed criticism regarding the NIHE’s actions. Paul McCusker, the founder of the charity and a Belfast city councillor, stated that a “high amount” of those seeking assistance are left with no alternative but to sleep rough. In a statement, he asserted, “[The] Northern Ireland Housing Executive advising there is nothing available, even though they have a legal duty.” He further commented, “We cannot highlight enough the seriousness of the situation on the streets of Belfast, a system by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that is not fit for purpose for the most vulnerable men and women on our streets. “This is an emergency”.” Conversely, the NIHE has denied this assertion. A spokesperson for the NIHE declared: “We do not accept that we failed any legal duty to homeless presenters this week.” The spokesperson added, “[On Saturday] we faced unprecedented and record-breaking levels of people presenting to us seeking emergency temporary accommodation.” The NIHE also mentioned that severe flooding, resulting from hours of heavy rainfall after Storm Bert, led to resources being “extremely stretched”. The NIHE explained, “Immense pressure was placed on the limited availability of temporary accommodation as a result of this week’s extreme weather conditions.” The NIHE confirmed that its teams were “active, on the ground, at a number of locations” throughout the weekend. The NIHE reported, “Seventy-six people presented themselves to the Housing Executive’s out-of-hours service during Saturday. This figure would normally be around 20.” It further stated, “We know that at least four of the 76 were as a direct result of the flooding”. The NIHE additionally noted that approximately 11,000 households have received emergency temporary accommodation in the past year. The spokesperson concluded, “We will continue to assist the most vulnerable in our community as we have done consistently.” Temporary accommodation is utilized by NIHE clients who are either awaiting a permanent rehousing offer or are placed there while their situations are under review. The NIHE employs various forms of temporary accommodation, such as: An NIHE spokesperson informed BBC News NI last month that the count of individuals placed in temporary accommodation increased from 4,527 in 2020 to 11,368 in 2023. The Department for Communities (DfC) indicates that the NIHE holds two primary responsibilities concerning accommodation. The first, known as the interim duty to accommodate, stipulates that a homeless person with a priority need can be housed once their circumstances have been thoroughly investigated. The second duty applies to individuals who satisfy the four legislative homelessness criteria outlined in the Northern Ireland Housing Order 1988: eligibility, homelessness, priority need, and intentionality. NIHE data reveals that over 30,000 households are presently registered as homeless, and recent Stormont figures indicate that more than £34m was expended on temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland during the previous financial year. A key priority in the Stormont Executive’s draft programme for government is the provision of increased social, affordable, and sustainable housing. Campaigners are scheduled to convene with the Department for Communities (DfC), the sponsor of the NIHE, on Monday, stating their intention to secure more emergency beds for the winter season.