- A sofa was positioned at the bottom of the steps of Stormont today to highlight the thousands of people forced to ‘sofa surf’ across Northern Ireland
- A number of MLAs joined the event that raised awareness of people who don’t have a home of their home.
- Registrations are open for One Big Sleep Out taking place at Stormont on Friday 11th October 2024.
Leading homelessness charity, Simon Community, launched their 2024 One Big Sleep Out today at Stormont with a visual stunt to raise awareness of the growing numbers of individuals forced to sofa surf or stay in temporary accommodation across Northern Ireland.
A sofa, dressed as if someone had just slept on it, was placed at the bottom of Stormont’s steps to symbolise the thousands of people who are currently homeless throughout Northern Ireland and to encourage people to get involved in this year’s One Big Sleep Out event.
The charity’s One Big Sleep Out will take place on Friday 11th October at Stormont Estate, and the charity are hoping it will be the biggest one they have ever held.
They are encouraging people to sign up to ‘sleep out’ at Stormont overnight to help raise vital funds and awareness. By participating, attendees will highlight the reality behind the growing homelessness crisis, including the rise in sofa surfers—people forced to rely on friends or family for temporary shelter due to a lack of affordable and available homes.
Jim Dennison, Chief Executive of Simon Community, said, "Homelessness is a growing issue in Northern Ireland, and we all have a role to play in addressing it.
Most people’s idea of homelessness is someone sleeping on the streets. Rough sleeping is homelessness at its most visible but, in Northern Ireland, it doesn’t often look like this. Instead we see many more people who are forced to sofa surf, live for long periods in hostels or B&Bs, or sleep in their cars.
By joining the One Big Sleep Out, you’re not just raising money – you’re showing that homelessness is unacceptable and that together, we can make a difference.”
Participants are encouraged to raise funds before the event, with all money going directly to Simon Community services, which include emergency accommodation, homelessness prevention, and support programmes to help people rebuild their lives.
In Northern Ireland there are 55,500 people officially classified as homeless. That's one in every 34 people.
In addition, according to recent Simon Community research, there are up to a further 25,000 people outside the system who are not getting the support they so desperately need.
We have record high numbers on the social housing waiting list. Over 86,000 people across NI are currently waiting for a social home. Between the 1970s and 1990s, around 4,500 social houses were built each year. In 24/25 the target for social home ‘starts’ has been cut to just 400-600 homes.
Founded in 1971, Simon Community was set up to provide a soup run for rough sleepers across Belfast City Centre. Over 50 years later, Simon Community has grown to become Northern Ireland’s largest homeless organisation. We work in every corner of NI, providing a range of services that support people experiencing – or at risk of – homelessness.
In just one week, from 12th - 19th June 2024, there were only 10 available beds out of the 464 in Simon Community temporary accommodation sites. In the same period, we received 425 requests from people desperate for somewhere to stay.
One Big SleepOut is an annual event (now in its 6th year) that aims to raise critical funds and awareness of homelessness in NI.
To register for the One BIG Sleep Out click here.