Politicial leaders are being urged to financially support society's most vulnerable as Northern Ireland faces a homelessness crisis.
The latest figures from the Department for Communities, issued on Thursday, March 10, show the number of households here in temporary accommodation have risen over the past three years.
In February 2022, 3,596 households were in temporary accommodation, while the equivalent figure in January 2019 was 2,065. This is an increase of 74% in the past three years.
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Nicola McCrudden, Chief Executive of Homelessness Connect, is calling for Stormont to do more to help people keep a roof over their heads to "prevent and reduce" rising homelessness figures as the cost of living continues to increase.
She said: "With the rapidly rising cost of living, more and more households are struggling to afford the cost of keeping their homes. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, it looks unlikely that the cost of living will fall any time soon. Without greater support from the state, it is highly likely more people will tip over the edge into homelessness.
"We are acutely aware that £300 million is available, that could make a real impact, but remains unallocated due to the fall of the Executive. I believe that where there is political will there is a way.
"We urge our political leaders to explore every avenue to find a way to spend this money to support those struggling with the cost of living and to support the homelessness sector as it responds to the huge demand it is currently facing.
"The levels of homelessness shown in these statistics are not inevitable. With the right policy choices and proper resourcing, homelessness can be prevented and reduced.
"In the upcoming election to the Assembly, we need parties to commit to positive policies and funding which will help change this situation. We need an Executive united around the need to lead this society on the journey to end homelessness.
"Failure on this front will have devastating consequences for those impacted. We urge our political leaders to work together now and after the election to deliver a better outcome for our society.’’
One man who has been at Depaul's Cloverhill service since July 2021 with his wife and three children said his family have "benefited greatly" from the support they have received, but he remains concerned about the length of time they may have to live in temporary accommodation for.
He said: "I found it very difficult to begin with as we are of Syrian nationality and everything was new to us. Seeking status and dealing with the legal aspect of it all such as documentations was hard.
"The pandemic was a major obstacle and the pressure of providing for my family in the face of multiple challenges took its toll. It took some time to settle and we experienced issues with GP and dentist registration, accessing school placements and securing benefits.
"The support from the staff at Depaul during these trying times made a massive difference in these areas. The local community in Belfast too have welcomed us warmly and I cannot praise them enough for their hospitality and kindness.
"I suffer from acute psychological problems that make living in more secure accommodation like Cloverhill a challenge but staff are aware and are supportive regarding this.
"I try to remain hopeful for the future although understand that housing options are limited. We have four other children that remain in Lebanon and are anxious for them to be reunited with us. NIHE and Cloverhill staff keep me updated with housing matters although I remain concerned about the length of time we might have to spend in temporary housing before a solution comes about.
"I now have a better understanding of the housing system and points, and I am more comfortable with picking an area of choice despite some gaps in local knowledge.
"Our spirit and togetherness as a family keep us going and we know that we can turn to staff for assistance, support and knowledge - this is very reassuring. Our children are thriving now in the local community and making new friends and I know that we will not be alone despite the challenges that lie ahead."
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