Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities, in light of recent figures from the Simon Community showing that over 62,000 people are officially homeless across Northern Ireland, including over 1,600 people in Mid Ulster, to detail any (i) discussions; or (ii) assessments, he has undertaken regarding the introduction of a statutory duty for the prevention of homelessness for the Housing Executive.
Minister for Communities: I support improving protection and support for people at risk of homelessness and preventing it where possible. That is why I emphasised the need to shift to prevention in the Housing Supply Strategy and the Programme for Government.
There is already considerable scope within the existing statutory framework to provide additional support and prevention measures, as evidenced by the amount of work already taking place, and my focus remains on improving things now.
ENDS
Your MLA 