AQW 3524/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/09/2022
Answered On Date: 11/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the delivery of the Complex Lives model for addressing homelessness across Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The Housing Executive has statutory responsibility for responding to homelessness and has conducted an evaluation of the prototype phase of the Complex Lives initiative.

The evaluation found that the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) has demonstrated success in facilitating positive outcomes in regards to accommodation, support and sustained meaningful engagement. All Housing Executive partners have agreed that working relationships across agencies have been significantly enhanced and agencies, who are present in the city centre, have reported a reduction in disturbance.

Following the evaluation of the prototype phase and based on a range of strategic proposals made by the Steering Group, a Business Case was completed to progress the partnership approach in 2022/23.

Approval has been given to continue to operate the internal Housing Executive staff team dedicated to the Complex Lives approach within Belfast and to contribute to the acquisition for external resources in partnership with other Strategic Leadership Group members until 31 March 2023.

Subject to available funding and evaluation of the impact of the acquisition of external resources, it is likely this initiative will be further expanded within the Belfast Region and consideration given to expanding to other areas.