Northern Ireland Housing Executive highlights reduction in homelessness presentations and acceptances as a direct result of Covid-19

New biannual Homelessness Bulletin also notes a significant increase in number of households placed in temporary accommodation, with demand increasing since lockdown arrangements were implemented on 23 March 2020

The Housing Executive in Northern Ireland has highlighted that there has been a reduction in homelessness presentations and acceptances as a direct result of COVID-19.

In Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin January to June 2020, the Housing Executive reports that 7,911 households presented as homeless in the six months up to the end of June 2020, of which 4,605 were accepted as statutorily homeless.

In addition, commenting on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on homelessness, in a Quality Background Report, the Executive says that  -

‘… the data submission for April to June 2020 has been subject to significant variation from previous quarters and this can be directly attributed to the impact of Covid-19. As a comparison there was a total of 4,302 presentations in April to June 2019 and this has reduced by 14 per cent to 3,689 in April to June 2020. The impact of Covid-19 on acceptances has been more pronounced with 2,989 acceptances in April to June 2019 reducing by 35 per cent to 1,935 in April to June 2020.’

Commenting also on new figures that show there were 4,002 placements in temporary accommodation between January and June 2020, the Executive says -

'The data on temporary accommodation shows a significant increase and this is directly related to Covid-19 with demand increasing since lockdown arrangements were implemented on 23rd March.'

For more information, see Northern Ireland Homelessness Bulletin January - June 2020 from ni.gov.uk