Communities Minister has announced a £150k
goodwill grant to fund seasonal meals and small gifts for people
experiencing homelessness.
The funding will be distributed by the charity Homeless Connect
to homelessness service providers. It will be used to deliver
social events, such as Christmas dinners, and to provide small
gifts to people who are supported by these providers.
The Minister said: “I am pleased that during Homelessness
Awareness Week I can announce this goodwill grant of £150,000. I
hope the grant ensures that those experiencing homelessness can
have a more enjoyable and positive Christmas.
“Earlier this week, I made a series of significant funding and
support announcements in the Assembly to address the broader
issue of homelessness. Alongside those measures, this is a small
but significant effort to bring some festive cheer into the lives
of people who might otherwise go without during the Christmas
period.”
Nicole Lappin, chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive,
said: “The Housing Executive continues to work with statutory,
voluntary and grassroots organisations to address a problem which
touches many communities and many lives here. We share the
Minister's ambition to reduce homelessness, and want to highlight
that help is available – at Christmas time and throughout the
year – for those facing crisis.”
Chief Executive of Homeless Connect Nicola McCrudden said:
“During Homelessness Awareness Week, a range of social,
educational and awareness-raising events are taking place to
highlight the reality of homelessness in our society.
“This is Homelessness Awareness Week and the theme, Time for
Change, reflects a growing consensus that homelessness is
not inevitable and is solvable. Achieving change however requires
all of us to consider what we can do differently. At Homeless
Connect, we believe in collaboration and we have seen the results
when people and groups come together to bring about change.
“As we look to address the bigger issues, we must never forget
that people are at the heart of this and at times smaller
gestures can be just as important. The provision of this funding
makes a genuine difference and it is a very welcome boost for the
adults, children and young people experiencing homelessness over
the festive period.”
Notes to Editors
- In 2023 the Goodwill Grant benefitted 2,600 adults and 830
children.
- Homelessness Awareness Week (HAW), which runs from 2-8
December 2024, is a week of social, educational and awareness
raising events which aims to raise awareness of the reality of
homelessness in Northern Ireland.
- The theme of HAW 2024 is ‘Time for Change'.
- Homeless Connect is the representative body for the
homelessness sector in Northern Ireland
