£500k investment to tackle homelessness in local area

£500k investment to tackle homelessness in local area

25 April 2018

EVERY year the Simon Community helps thousands of people in Northern Ireland secure the most basic of rights — a home.

The charity’s Saul Street base in Downpatrick has been an integral part of that service in Co Down for 25 years, and plans for brand new premises will make its facilities fit for a 21st century approach to homelessness.

With over 600 people from the Downpatrick area presenting as homeless to the Housing Executive, according to the latest statistics, there is clearly still much to be done.

A planning application was recently lodged for the construction of a 12-bedroom residential building at 6 Saul Street, close to the charity’s current base, which is no longer considered fit for purpose.

With a £500,000 investment, the aim is not only to provide modern en suite bedrooms, but communal living areas and experiences that can prepare clients for living in the community.

A lift will also be able to accommodate those with a physical disability.

Established in 1971 in response to a homelessness crisis in Belfast, the Simon Community has grown to become Northern Ireland’s leading homelessness charity and service provider.  It now helps over 3000 people every year across 22 projects throughout Northern Ireland with 300 members of staff and 50 volunteers.

Kevin Bailey, the Simon Community’s Director of Homelessness Services, explained that the cost of making the existing Downpatrick base fit for purpose wasn’t an option.

“There is currently an eight-bed unit and we are at the point where we have to invest a significant amount of money,” he said. “The new build is a £500,000 investment.

“We will be able to have en suite facilities, modernise and add dignity and value.”

Kevin explained that part of the rationale behind the new layout, which will include communal living areas, is preparing clients for the outside world.

“If you take three or four clients, put them in their own independent living space but sharing a communal area, it helps prepare them for homes in the local community,” he said. “Quite a lot of our clients — 40% — are under the age of 25.”

Charities such as the Simon Community have concerns that changes to the benefits system in Northern Ireland with Universal Credit will leave individuals struggling to rent properties on their own.

“Some of our clients are 18 years old on Job Seekers Allowance of £55 a week,” Kevin said.

“In the east of England the new benefits system was rolled out two and a half years ago and had a real social impact.

“We simply do not know what impact it will have on the population here, but it could have a significant impact on the ability to afford accommodation.”

The Downpatrick hostel is seeing an increase in people staying with them on a long-term basis and sees itself as providing not only a bed, but also a befriending service.

“We are seeing an increase in clients staying with us longer,” said Kevin. “Sometimes this is about supply in social housing.

“A lot of people think it is simply about putting a roof over people’s heads. But there are a range of issues that people might need support with — drink or drug issues — or they have had access to the criminal justice system.”

Kevin said that the majority of the employees based at the Saul Street project were local residents, who had a valuable input into creating an established local service.

He acknowledged, though, that homeless hostels were not always welcome in every community.

“Yes, there can be the issue of people saying ‘we are supportive of your work as long as it is not here’,” he said.

“Thankfully in Downpatrick that is not our experience. We are welcomed in with the local community and voluntary organisations such as those who organise food banks, St Vincent de Paul, local churches and the police.

“We also did hold a community event in January to provide information about our plans, inviting some businesses and residents. 

“We got positive engagement on the evening. We now hope to break ground on our new building in January 2019.”