You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Northern Ireland assembly members form all-party group on homelessness
Assembly members (MLAs) in Northern Ireland from across the political spectrum have launched a new group aimed at finding policy ideas to combat homelessness.
The All-Party Group (APG) on Homelessness was launched this week with Paula Bradley, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA for North Belfast, as its chair.
It will hold evidence sessions with the region’s government departments, statutory bodies, homelessness sector organisations and their services users to help develop the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s new homelessness strategy for 2022 to 2027.
Eleven MLAs have agreed to join the APG: three from the DUP, two from Sinn Féin, two from the Ulster Unionist Party, two from the Social Democratic and Labour Party, one from the Alliance Party, and one from the Green Party.
Nicola McCrudden, chief executive at the Council of the Homeless Northern Ireland, will be secretariat to the group.
READ MORE
Ms Bradley said: “It is a privilege to serve as the first chair of this new all-party group.
“Homelessness can have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals and families who experience it.
“Both the assembly and the executive need to prioritise preventing homelessness and it is my belief that this group will help raise awareness of homelessness here and drive forward much-needed positive change.”
Karen Mullan, Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle and vice-chair of the APG, said: “With the social housing waiting list currently standing at over 42,000 households and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to be felt, the formation of this all-party group is especially timely.
“Politicians from across this society need to work constructively together to develop a legislative and policy framework which will prevent individuals and families from ever having to experience homelessness and to assist those who sadly lose their homes.”
Ms McCrudden said: “We are delighted at the formation of this new all-party group at the assembly.
“As the voice of the homelessness sector here, we believe this group will provide an invaluable forum for assembly members to engage with the homelessness sector and service users.
“It is our hope that the APG will serve as a forum to explore the reality of homelessness on the ground and to seek policy solutions which will help support individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.”
Sign up for our Northern Ireland bulletin
Already have an account? Click here to manage your newsletters
