AQO 921/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/09/2024
Answered On Date: 07/10/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the Interdepartmental Homelessness Action Plans.

Answer:

The Interdepartmental Homelessness Action Plan is designed to complement the Housing Executive’s Homelessness Strategy. It focuses on addressing gaps in non-accommodation services which have the potential to improve the lives, and life chances, of people who are experiencing homelessness and those who are most at risk of homelessness.

The Fourth Plan, which contained thirteen actions, was published on 21 September 2023. My Department published the outcome report on 30 September 2024.

My officials are actively engaging with colleagues across Departments to develop the Fifth Interdepartmental Homelessness Action Plan and presented a draft to the voluntary and community sector on 25 September.

The resulting discussion and feedback will feed into the further development of the next plan which will run until 31 March 2026.

I would like to thank my Ministerial colleagues for their commitment to this work. Addressing the issues which contribute to homelessness takes a collective, whole of Government approach.