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Northern Ireland homelessness task group to plan for lockdown exit
A task group has been set up in Northern Ireland to help plan the region’s homelessness response as it exits the coronavirus lockdown.
The group will be chaired by Nicola McCrudden, a senior associate consultant at Campbell Tickell who has been commissioned to act as homelessness sector COVID-19 manager by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
Heads of operations at charities Depaul, Extern, First Housing, Housing Rights, The Salvation Army, Simon Community, and the Welcome Organisation will also join.
Work by the task group, named the ‘homeless operations COVID-19 group’, will be used to inform the NIHE’s planning process as lockdown measures are lifted by ministers.
It will investigate how homelessness services have coped during the pandemic and identify what must change to meet need in the short and medium term, as well as recommend ways to prepare for longer-term challenges.
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Homelessness organisations expect a jump in demand for services following the pandemic, with particular pressure on hostel accommodation.
Ms McCrudden said: “We are already seeing more people becoming homeless as family and sharing arrangements break down.
“Preparing for exiting and the new norm is critically important for homeless service providers and those who rely upon them for temporary accommodation and support.
“Charities working in the homeless sector need to be adequately resourced and ready to meet increasing need in both the short and long term.”
