84,000 People Could Face Homelessness by 2032. It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way.

Simon Community Northern Ireland has called on political parties to commit to urgent action to tackle homelessness, warning that almost one in every 23 people could be experiencing homelessness by 2032 if current trends continue.

Simon Community launched A Northern Ireland Free From Homelessness: Priorities for the 2027 Assembly Election at Stormont, setting out the action needed to address Northern Ireland’s growing homelessness crisis. 

The launch brought together political representatives, people with lived experience of homelessness and Simon Community team members to highlight the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for political commitment. 

New Simon Community projections show that the number of people experiencing homelessness could rise from 64,417 to almost 84,000 by 2032 if current trends continue. This would mark an increase of nearly 20,000 people over the next Assembly mandate. 

Homelessness has already more than doubled over the past decade, with current figures showing that one in every 30 people in Northern Ireland is experiencing homelessness. This new projection would make that one in 23 people.  

At the centre of the launch stood a symbolic pink front door, highlighting our belief that everyone deserves their own front doorSpeaking at the launch, Jim Dennison, Chief Executive of Simon Community highlighted the importance of political leadership in reversing current trends. 

“We are becoming dangerously accustomed to homelessness. Every year the numbers rise. Every year the waiting lists grow. Every year more people are pushed into crisis. 

This is not inevitable. Homelessness is the result of political choices and political priorities. Different choices can deliver different outcomes.” 

Simon Community’s election priorities identify three key areas requiring urgent action from the next Northern Ireland Executive: 

More homes: Deliver at least 2,200 social homes every year, end or pause the House Sales Scheme and ban no-fault evictions. 

Stronger prevention: Modernise homelessness legislation, make prevention everyone’s responsibility and expand Housing First for Youth. 

Better access to healthcare: Deliver homelessness training for health and social care workers, establish integrated mental health and addiction pathways and expand Inclusion Health services across Northern Ireland. 

The recommendations have been informed by Simon Community’s frontline experience and the voices of people who have experienced homelessness. 

Ngaire, who has previously experienced homelessness and contributed the foreword to Simon Community’s election priorities, spoke about the difference having a home of her own has made to her life. 

“Nobody should have to experience what I went through. Every day I worried about where I would stay, what would happen next and how I was supposed to turn things around. 

Having a front door of my own really changed things. It gave me peace of mind, and the chance to focus on my future instead of just surviving. 

It’s obvious what we need – more homes, better support before people reach breaking point and services that work together to help people rebuild their lives. Now it’s up to our politicians to take homelessness seriously and do the work that will make a real difference to tens of thousands of people here.” 

Ngaire experience highlights what is at the heart of these priorities. A safe, secure home is more than a roof over someone’s head. It provides stability, security and the opportunity to look towards the future. 

With the 2027 Assembly Election approaching, we are urging all political parties to recognise homelessness as a priority and commit to meaningful action. 

Jim Dennison added: 

“The next Executive has a choice. It can continue managing homelessness after it happens, or it can take the bold decisions needed to prevent it, build the homes people need and ensure everyone has access to the support that keeps them safe and well. 

 As parties prepare to ask for our votes, we’re asking them one simple question: what will they do to stop homelessness continuing to rise?” 

We believe that with the right political commitment, Northern Ireland can reverse the rising numbers and move towards a future where everyone has access to a safe, secure home. 

Read A Northern Ireland Free From Homelessness: Priorities for the 2027 Assembly Election to explore our recommendations in full.