Hostel solution described as temporary and demoralising for people without homes

A man staying in a Simon Community hostel in Bangor said the lack of a permanent home felt demoralising, and a Public Accounts Committee report found Northern Ireland spent about £40m on temporary accommodation in 2024/25.

A man living in a Simon Community hostel in Bangor said not having a permanent home felt demoralising. The comment comes as a Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee report highlighted large spending on temporary accommodation and limited preventative planning. Officials say additional funds have been allocated and that plans are under review to reduce reliance on hotels and B&Bs. Key points: - A resident, Curtis DuRose, has been in temporary hostel accommodation since December and said the situation feels demoralising rather than permanent. - The Public Accounts Committee reported the Northern Ireland Housing Executive spent about £40m on temporary accommodation in 2024/25, compared with about £7.6m in 2018/19, including significant sums on hotels and B&Bs. - The Department for Communities said Minister Gordon Lyons ring-fenced an extra £2.5m for strategic homelessness prevention and allocated further sums for related projects, including funds for care-leavers and a scheme to help organisations acquire homes for people in hostels. - The PAC recommended the Housing Executive publish details within six months of plans to purchase 600 homes designated for temporary accommodation. Summary: The testimony and the committee report point to sustained pressure on temporary housing provision in Northern Ireland and to rising public costs for short-term placements. Officials have set aside additional funding and the Housing Executive has been asked to publish plans to acquire homes for temporary use within six months, with monitoring and further decisions to follow.