Figures have revealed 8,250 households presented as homeless from April to September 2024, with a huge impact on children and families.
According to the Department for Communities report, 5,393 (65.4%) of the households presenting were accepted as statutorily homeless, with a 121% increase in the number of children living in temporary accommodation since January 2019. As of November 2024, 4,908 households, including 5,378 children, were forced to live in temporary accommodation. That’s 5,378 children, infants, and babies who are homeless.
The top three reasons for presenting as homeless were accommodation was not reasonable; sharing breakdown/family dispute; and loss of rented accommodation.
A significant 35% of those accepted as homeless were families, with a total of 3,349 children among the households accepted as statutorily homeless between April and September 2024.
The report also highlights the age distribution among homeless children, with the largest proportion being aged 0-2 (21.9%), followed by 3-5 (17.6%), 9-11 (15.9%), 6-8 (15.8%), 12-14 (15.4%), and finally 15-17 (13.3%).
Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Chris Quinn, said: “This is a crisis that demands immediate attention and action from our political leaders. I can not stress the importance of the need for Homelessness Prevention Legislation which would ensure early intervention and support vulnerable people.
“Homelessness is unacceptable and a breach of children’s rights. We cannot continue to ignore the suffering of families and children who are forced to live in temporary accommodation, which has profound impacts on mental health and wellbeing, and access to basic necessities like stable housing, education, and healthcare.”
“I am urging policymakers to prioritise affordable housing initiatives, support for vulnerable populations, and a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness.
“This staggering 121% increase in children who have been made homeless over the last five years is a stark reminder to our political leaders to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis. It’s time for them to work together to provide the support and resources necessary to end homelessness once and for all.”
