Gordon Lyons says expert panels will review homelessness legislation and recommend system changes
The communities minister for Northern Ireland, Gordon Lyons, has announced his intention to set up a new homelessness commission to review legislation and recommend system improvements.
Speaking at an event hosted by charity Housing Rights earlier this week, Lyons also reiterated his commitment to moving the government’s approach to tackling homelessness from crisis response to prevention.
He said: “I intend to shortly bring forward to the executive plans for the establishment of a Homelessness Commission for Northern Ireland.
“Independent, expert panels will carry out comprehensive reviews of our homelessness legislative framework and the operational and institutional changes required to transform how we prevent and respond to homelessness. The commission will also draw on the experiences of those who have lived through homelessness, with a firm focus on prevention and early intervention.”
Since Lyons’ ministerial appointment in 2024, he has announced several investments. These include:
- The ringfencing of an additional £2.5million for Strategic Homelessness Prevention in 2025/26, with a commitment for further ringfenced funding in 2026/27.
- The allocation of more than £9million to the New Foundations Project, aiming to ensure care-leavers do not become homeless.
- The provision of £10million for the Loan to Acquire Move-on Accommodation (LAMA) Scheme, enabling homelessness organisations to purchase homes for people currently living in hostels.
- An increase in funding to the Supporting People programme, from £72.8million a year to c. £84million in 2025/26, protecting ongoing investment in homelessness services.
No comments yet