24 September 2002
DODDS LAUNCHES NEW HOMELESS STRATEGY
We must break down the barriers that homeless people face in accessing services the rest of society take for granted, the Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds MP MLA, said today.
Speaking at the launch of the Housing Executive’s new and comprehensive strategy for tackling homelessness in Northern Ireland, the Minister said:
"Everyone must have access to a decent home within a stable and caring community. The Housing Executive’s new strategy will create a modern and effective service, which can make a real difference to the lives of homeless people.
"Homelessness is not just a housing issue. It has implications for health and well-being, educational attainment and employment opportunities. Complex problems require co-ordinated solutions and the strategy recognises the need to build on the excellent partnerships between the public, voluntary and community services in the delivery of services to homeless people.
"Tackling homelessness remains a key priority for the Department for Social Development and today’s announcement is the first step in a new approach which will include the setting up of a working group that will cross departmental and sector boundaries. Its task is to break down the barriers faced by the homeless in obtaining those services that the rest of the community take for granted.
"The scale of the homeless problem and the need for more new homes across the province, demonstrates the continuing need for investment in housing."
Among the recommendations in the strategy are plans for an additional 250 units of temporary accommodation and extra 180 units of supported accommodation, as well as a commitment to reduce the Housing Executive’s dependency on bed and breakfast accommodation by 50pc.
Speaking at the launch Sid McDowell, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive said:
"The Homelessness Strategy is one of the most important strategic documents for Northern Ireland in recent years providing as it does a comprehensive framework for:
- helping people avoid homelessness;
- rescuing people form homelessness;
- sustaining and supporting people to escape homelessness.
"More than 14,000 households came to us homeless last year. It disturbs me that some people seem to believe there is an acceptable level of homelessness. It is as if they are unable to see that to live without a home is to have a life half lived.
We must, above all, dare to believe that homelessness can be eradicated from our community and we must commit every ounce of our energy to making it happen."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Housing Executive’s Homeless strategy has been produced following detailed consultation and takes account of the recent inquiry into homelessness by the Social Development Committee.
- Media queries: Department for Social Development – Colm Shannon 028 9056 9211; Housing Executive – Jennifer Hawthorne 028 9031 7743.
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