Ritchie presents additional £70,000 to help homeless organisations

Social development Minister Margaret Ritchie has presented homeless organisations with an additional £70,000 funding in the run up to Christmas.

The Minister made the presentation to Ricky Rowledge, Chief Executive of the Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland (CHNI), prior to making her opening address at the ‘Including the Homeless’ seminar in Belfast.

Minister Ritchie said: “This cheque will be distributed by the Council for the Homeless on my behalf to a wide range of organisations supporting homeless people in Northern Ireland.

“Today’s seminar showcases the work of everyone involved in a strategy which has made huge progress in relation to access to services for homeless people.

“The strategy has been a key part of my Homelessness Agenda and has demonstrated that departments, agencies and the voluntary and community sector can come together so that problems such as homelessness can be properly addressed.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Minister issues additional funding to homeless organisations in December each year. This year’s payment is for £70,000 which will be distributed on Minister’s behalf by the Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland.
2. The ‘Including the Homeless’ Strategy was launched by the Minister in July 2007. This strategy was launched in the context of Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) which is part of the wider Lifetime Opportunities anti-poverty and social inclusion strategy for Northern Ireland.
3. Following the launch of the Including the Homeless Strategy, the Department for Social Development set up a steering group which looked at issues of homelessness including training, employment, health and young people.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497 or Ciara McGuigan on 077921 50486. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.