Research Reveals Childhood Trauma is Driving Record Homelessness in NI

A major new report launching today at Stormont by Simon Community reveals that childhood trauma plays a powerful role in Northern Ireland’s record levels of homelessness, giving insight into the experiences that set people on a pathway to homelessness from a young age.

The research paints a stark picture of the intergenerational crisis facing Northern Ireland. It shows that childhood adversity – including abuse, neglect, family breakdown and exposure to violence – significantly increases the risk of homelessness in later life. For those leaving the care system, prison or hospital, the risk is even higher, with too many slipping into homelessness without adequate support.

In the week of World Homeless Day (10th October), Simon Community is launching the landmark report, Childhood Adversity and Homelessness in Northern Ireland: Breaking the Cycle, at a Stormont event hosted by MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Ciara Ferguson.

Key Findings include:

• Childhood trauma is widespread: 66% of residents in homeless hostels had four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – nearly four times higher than the 18% seen in the general Northern Ireland population. ACEs are traumatic events in childhood, such as abuse, neglect or family breakdown,
• Most common childhood adversities:
  • Parental separation: 75% of hostel residents experienced it as children (vs 25% general NI population)
  • Emotional neglect: 66% hostel residents (vs 10% general NI population)
  • Domestic violence: 53% (vs 20%)
  • Emotional abuse: 47% (vs 10%)
  • Sexual abuse: 33% (vs 8%)
• Institutional contact heightens risk: 21% of hostel residents had been in care as children, rising to nearly one in three among women now experiencing homelessness.
• Mental health impacts are severe: 73.9% had a diagnosed mental health condition – almost four times the rate in the general population; over half had been hospitalised for mental health reasons, rising to 72% of women experiencing homelessness.
• Homelessness starts early: a staggering 1 in 4 had first experienced homelessness as children, and 64% had slept rough at some point in their lives. Among young men aged 18-26, nearly 9 in 10 had slept rough at some point.

“Homelessness is the start of hopelessness,” said one participant.

Another reflected, “I was in this hostel when I was 17. Now I’m back again as an adult.”

A panel of Experts by Experience at the launch will ensure that the voices and views of those directly affected by homelessness are centre stage. Panel member Stuart found himself homeless after the death of his mother, whom he cared for. He now lives independently and wants to help others who find themselves homeless:

“I’m extremely proud to be part this event exploring how we tackle the root causes of homelessness. Having experienced homelessness myself, it gives me comfort to know that the organisation who helped me is leading the way to help others”.

Panel member Laoise became homeless after leaving an abusive relationship and wants to use her experience to help shape better services for others. She says:

“People who have experienced homelessness have so much knowledge, experience and empathy for anyone facing similar challenges. We’re not asking anyone to solve this issue on their own. We want to work with government and service providers to create real change”.

Jim Dennison, Simon Community’s Chief Executive, added:

“Homelessness doesn’t start when someone loses a job or a house. For too many people, it begins in childhood – with abuse, neglect, family breakdown or time spent in institutional care. If we don’t act now, many of our children will face the stark reality of a future without a home.

This research shows the harsh truth: people experiencing homelessness have often endured levels of trauma no child should ever face, and unless we break that cycle, it will be repeated generation after generation.

But there is hope. We welcome Government commitments to prevent homelessness for care leavers and new school initiatives to spot children at risk early. These show that with early action and joined-up support, the cycle of homelessness can be broken.”

Simon Community is calling for bold political leadership and a long-term strategy to break cycles of trauma, poverty and homelessness.

Jim Dennison continues: “Today’s children are at risk but homelessness for them is not inevitable. We are urging Government to treat homelessness as a generational problem that requires a generational response. One that spans mandates, outlives political cycles and has the voice and views of lived experience at the heart.

Prevention must be the priority, with investment in affordable housing, family support, mental health services and early interventions for children at risk.

No single department can solve this alone. Health, education, justice and community services must work together to spot risks early and provide joined-up support. If we act now, we can break the cycle and give today’s children a future free from homelessness.”

Notes on the Launch

• Report launch: Parliament Buildings, Tuesday 7th October 2025, 12.30pm
• Sponsored by MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Ciara Ferguson
• Full report can be seen here.
• This is the first study in Northern Ireland to examine in detail the backgrounds and life experiences of single adults living in homeless hostels.
• 175 people living in 10 homeless hostels across Northern Ireland were engaged with as part of this research.

• Comparative general population data on ACEs found in this report: The Prevalence and Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Northern Ireland. Link here.

Homelessness in Northern Ireland

• 61,698 people are legally homeless in Northern Ireland, including 19,420 children – this equates to 1 in every 31 people.

• Yet up to 25,000 more people in Northern Ireland could be experiencing ‘hidden homelessness’ due to not being in contact with statutory services for support.
• 90,477 people are on the waiting list for a social home. Yet only one new social home start was recorded between April and June 2025.

The last Homelessness Bulletin from Department for Communities showed: