Communities Minister Has Today Announced He Is
Providing a £150,000 Goodwill Grant to Fund Festive Dinners and
Small Gifts for People Experiencing Homelessness.
Speaking During Homeless Awareness Week, the Minister Said:
Unfortunately, some People Will Experience Homelessness
This Christmas.This Is the Time to Remember That Behind Every
Statistic Is a Person Struggling to Find a Safe and Secure Place
to Call Home.Now Is the Time to See the Person', the Theme of
This Year's Homeless Awareness Week.
I Recognise the Vital Role Played by Charities,
Individuals and Other Partners Who Work Tirelessly, Especially at
This Time of the Year, to Support Those Facing Homelessness.I
Have Made a Number of Funding Announcements This Year to Address
the Wider Issue of Homelessness but There Is Still More Work to
Be Done. I Hope This Goodwill Grant Will Bring some Festive Cheer
into the Lives of People Who Might Otherwise Go Without During
the Christmas Period.”
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.
Nicole Lappin, Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive,
Said: Support for Anyone Who Is Experiencing Homelessness Is
Vital All Year Round.However, the Challenges of Being Homeless
Can Be Exacerbated at Christmas. This Goodwill Grant Will Help to
Provide That Extra Bit of Support That Can Mean so
Much.Homelessness Awareness Week Provides Us All with the
Opportunity to Reflect on How We Can Improve Services and Support
and Work on Ending Homelessness Together.”
Chief Executive of Homeless Connect Nicola Mccrudden
Said: “behind Every Statistic Is a Human Story and During
Homelessness Awareness Week We Are Reminding People to See the
Person'. As We Work to Address the Wider Structural Issues, We
Must Never Lose Sight of the People Affected by Homelessness –
Their Hopes, Their Struggles and Their Strengths. This Funding
Will Provide a Meaningful Lift for Thousands of Adults and
Children Experiencing Homelessness over the Festive Period,
Ensuring They Feel Seen, Valued and Supported at a Time When
Loneliness and Hardship Can Hit Hardest.”
Notes to Editors:
- In 2024 the Goodwill Grant Benefitted 2,425 Adults and 1,046
Children.
- Homelessness Awareness Week Haw), Which Runs from 1-7
December 2025, 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 Is See the Person'.
- Homeless Connect Is the Representative Body for the
Homelessness Sector in Northern Ireland.
