Upfront Costs Locking People Out of Housing but Simon Community Expands Deposit Support

Simon Community is expanding its work to remove financial barriers to housing, after securing an additional £25,000 in funding from the Tenancy Deposit Scheme Northern Ireland (TDSNI) to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Through our Ready for Home project, we will build on our existing tenancy sustainment work by supporting 19 additional households across Northern Ireland to access safe, stable accommodation, providing targeted help for people who are ready to move on but cannot afford the upfront costs of securing a home.

As housing pressures continue to grow across Northern Ireland, affordability is no longer just about rent levels. Today, more than 63,000 people are experiencing homelessness – a 47% increase in the past five years – and the most common reason people are presenting as homeless is that their accommodation is not suitable.

For many, the inability to cover upfront costs such as tenancy deposits is preventing access to the private rented sector altogether, leaving people unable to move on from temporary or unsuitable housing. While Simon Community already supports people with tenancy deposits as part of our services, this additional funding allows us to reach more households and respond to growing demand.

The funding will enable Simon Community to provide deposits for people moving into private rented accommodation, while also supporting the furnishing of nine homes through our Creating Homes Programme. This ensures individuals and families leaving temporary accommodation can move into fully equipped, high-quality homes with dignity and stability from day one.

By expanding this practical support, Ready for Home provides a direct route out of homelessness and into long-term housing, helping people not just access a home, but sustain it.

Aisling Devine, Senior Operational Lead for Housing Solutions at Simon Community, said:

“We already see every day how effective deposit support can be in helping people move out of homelessness. But demand is growing, and too many people are still being held back by upfront costs they simply can’t afford.

This is what housing affordability looks like in reality right now. People are being locked out before they even get through the door. With this additional funding, we can extend a solution we know works and support more people to access safe, secure homes.”

One person supported through Simon Community’s services (name withheld), said:

“They helped me with support for my deposit for me moving into a house. The help was top class. Was easy to contact. Absolutely fantastic service.”

In addition to supporting move-ins, Simon Community will provide ongoing tenancy support, including check-ins at key stages to help people settle into their homes, maintain their tenancies, and build long-term stability and wellbeing.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme Northern Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation that protects tenancy deposits and reinvests in initiatives that improve access to housing. Its support for Ready for Home reflects a shared commitment to tackling housing inequality through practical, targeted interventions.

At a time when tens of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness, initiatives like Ready for Home show how expanding proven solutions can make an immediate, life-changing difference, unlocking access to housing for those who are ready for it, but unable to afford the first step.

If you’d like to apply for support with your Tenancy Deposit click here: