Derry district has highest homeless rate in the North

A local government district in County Derry has the highest rate of people presenting as homeless in Northern Ireland, data released by the Department for Communities (DfC) has shown.

Derry City and Strabane recorded 2,085 cases of people freshly presenting as homeless in 2021, a figure that represented a rate of 13.8 per 1,000 of the area's population.

The figure recorded is higher than Belfast (13.6) and well above the 8.5 figure recorded by Northern Ireland as a whole.

Out of the 2,805 presenting as homeless in the district, 1,209 were 'accepted' as homeless, a rate of 8.0 per 1,000 of population, a figure marginally below Belfast's rate of 8.3 per 1,000 of population.

There were 16,207 fresh presentations of homelessness across the North last year, with 13% recorded in the Derry City and Strabane district.

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In contrast, Mid Ulster recorded the lowest rate per 1,000 of population of fresh presentations at 4.5, while Causeway Coast and Glens ranked 6th with its figure of 6.9. Between December 2020 to December 2021, there was an increase in those presenting as homeless in all three of Derry's local government districts.

Derry and Strabane saw a 4% increase and Mid Ulster's figure increased by 7%, while Causeway Coast and Glens had the highest increase at 11%.

During the same period, the number of discharges made, meaning those rehoused, those who refused three offers of accommodation, or those having rehoused themselves, fell in the districts.

Causeway Coast and Glens had the lowest decrease at 4%, while Derry City and Strabane and Mid Ulster both recorded a decrease of 8%.

Across Nothern Ireland, there has also been a 74% increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation since January 2019.

The data also revealed a rise of 55% in the number of children in temporary accommodation during the same period.

Nicola McCrudden, Chief Executive of Homeless Connect, said political parties needed to commit to 'positive policies and funding'.

“These figures clearly illustrate the ongoing homelessness crisis that we face,” she said.

“Increasing numbers of people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads due to the fallout from the pandemic and general hardship that many people are facing.

“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 and without greater support, 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.

“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 have produced a manifesto with ten policies which would make a real difference if they were enacted.

“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.’’

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