AQW 52164/22-27


Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 16/09/2026
Answered On Date: 24/09/2026
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the Housing Executive’s funding bid for £50 million for the Homelessness Services in 2026-2027, as per their projected expenditure, including the amount bid for (a) temporary accommodation spending; (b) the Strategic Prevention Programme; (c) Community Prevention and Initiatives; and (ii) whether any assessment has been made of the impact on homelessness services if funding for 2026-2027 is provided at a level below that sought by the Housing Executive in its funding bid.


Answer:
This issue is an operational matter for Northern Ireland Housing Executive; they have advised me as follows:
“The table below provides details of the 2026/27 NIHE Homelessness budget bid submitted to DfC for funding consideration.
               
Budget Bid (£k’s)
Revenue Expenditure
 
a) Temporary Accommodation and Associated Costs
31,352
b) Strategic Prevention Programme
5,307
c) Community Prevention and Support Initiatives
4,148
Total Revenue Requirement
40,807
Capital Spend
a) Capital Leases for Temporary Accommodation
9,195
Total Capital Requirement
9,195
Total NIHE Homelessness Requirement
50,002
The Housing Executive recognises the potential impacts of being unable to fund services in the event of a significant funding shortfall. This has been outlined in previous Equality Impact Assessment responses, on previous budgets, which noted the range of support provided by projects supported by homelessness funding.
We have previously noted, and this remains applicable, that these projects range from upstream prevention services to day centres and outreach support, providing a vital service to those experiencing chronic homelessness and rough sleeping, often preventing individuals from engaging with the health and justice systems.
In the event of a significant funding shortfall, the Housing Executive would expect to see more visible signs of homelessness across cities and towns.”