Ritchie presents £35,000 cheque to homeless

Margaret Ritchie, the Social Development Minister, has presented homeless organisations in Belfast with £35,000 funding.

The minister took the opportunity to visit rough sleepers' facilities and see at first hand the actual hardship they face and the work volunteers do to help them.

Speaking after presenting a cheque for £35,000 to Ms Ricky Rowledge, the Chief Executive of the Council for Homeless people in Northern Ireland (CHNI), Minister Ritchie said: “This unique homeless accommodation centre provides shelter and support to homeless people in the Belfast area every day and night.

"This cheque will go some way to helping people who face the hardships of sleeping rough on our streets, especially at this time of year. I do not think any of us really appreciate just how tough that is, which is why I wanted not only to present the cheque but personally visit rough sleepers myself.

"It has been a real eye-opener for me but I salute the sterling work being done by the staff and volunteers who give up so much spare time to help these people who are the most vulnerable in our society."

Notes to Editors:

1. The minister spent the evening at the Salvation Army Rough Sleepers' Unit in Centenary House which is funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The unit is operational from 10.00pm to 9.00am seven nights per week. It comprises 12 emergency crash beds and a night time reception centre.
2. Minister Ritchie joined the Welcome Organisation’s Street Outreach service which was formally commissioned by the Housing Executive last year. This operates throughout the day and night enables outreach workers to make meaningful contact with rough sleepers to assist them in moving off the streets, accessing accommodation and health services.
3. For further media information contact Paddy Murphy, DSD Press Office, 028 9082 9497 or 07807 839688.