Homelessness
The Housing Executive has statutory responsibility for responding to homelessness through securing accommodation for those who meet the statutory criteria for homelessness, and the development and delivery of the Homelessness Strategy. The homelessness duties are outlined in Part II of the Housing (NI) Order 1988. The Department is responsible for the legislation and the overarching policy and provides strategic oversight of the Housing Executive’s delivery of the Homelessness Strategy.
The Homelessness Strategy 2022-27
The Homelessness Strategy is designed to ensure that the Housing Executive’s work to address homelessness is reflective of current challenges.
The aim is that: ‘Wherever possible homelessness should be prevented; but if homelessness cannot be prevented it should be rare, brief and non-recurring’.
Interdepartmental Homelessness Action Plan
Homelessness remains a complex issue. Homeless individuals and households or those vulnerable to homelessness, quite often have underlying issues and/or complex needs, and require support to maintain their health, their home and their employment.
The Interdepartmental Homelessness Action Plan (IDHAP) focuses on addressing gaps in those non-accommodation services that are likely to impact on the lives of people who are experiencing, or are most at risk of, homelessness.
The IDHAP complements the Housing Executive’s Homelessness Strategy.
NIAO Report: Homelessness in Northern Ireland
On 25 March 2025, the Northern Ireland Audit Office(NIAO) published its report “Homelessness in Northern Ireland” which contained ten recommendations for change which are aimed at improving the effectiveness of interventions undertaken in respect of tackling and preventing homelessness.
The recommendations centre around improving data capture, minimising the use of non-standard temporary accommodation, improved reporting, governance and accountability arrangements and the need for greater cross-departmental collaboration.
PAC Report: Homelessness in Northern Ireland
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) published its report on Homelessness in Northern Ireland on 26 February 2026. The report contained ten recommendations designed to strengthen homelessness prevention, improve governance and accountability arrangements, enhance data collection and performance reporting, and increase transparency around the delivery of housing and temporary accommodation initiatives.
In the Memorandum of Reply (external link DoF Memorandum of Reply (MoR) - Homelessness in Northern Ireland), the Department accepted eight recommendations in full and partially accepted the remaining two recommendations (8 and 10). Work is ongoing to give effect to these recommendations.
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline
The Department for Communities, Department of Health, and Department of Justice jointly fund a 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline, which is a free phone service offering advice, support and signposting information to anyone affected by domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland 365 days per year.
The helpline is available to people with lived experience, those concerned about someone, those with concerns as to whether abuse is occurring, and to professionals working with people who may be impacted by abuse. The helpline will direct callers to the appropriate support in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
Telephone 0808 802 1414