Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless services
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has today announced he is providing a £150,000 goodwill grant to fund festive dinners and small gifts for people experiencing homelessness.
Speaking during Homeless Awareness Week, the Minister said:
“Unfortunately, some people will experience homelessness this Christmas. This is the time to remember that behind every statistic is a person struggling to find a safe and secure place to call home. Now is the time to ‘See the person’, the theme of this year’s Homeless Awareness Week.
“I recognise the vital role played by charities, individuals and other partners who work tirelessly, especially at this time of the year, to support those facing homelessness. I have made a number of funding announcements this year to address the wider issue of homelessness but there is still more work to be done. I hope this goodwill grant will bring some festive cheer into the lives of people who might otherwise go without during the Christmas period.”
The funding will be distributed by the charity Homeless Connect to homelessness service providers. It will be used to deliver social events, such as Christmas dinners, and to provide small gifts to people who are supported by these providers.
Nicole Lappin, Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, said:
“Support for anyone who is experiencing homelessness is vital all year round. However, the challenges of being homeless can be exacerbated at Christmas. This goodwill grant will help to provide that extra bit of support that can mean so much. Homelessness Awareness Week provides us all with the opportunity to reflect on how we can improve services and support and work on ending homelessness together.”
Chief Executive of Homeless Connect Nicola McCrudden said:
“Behind every statistic is a human story and during Homelessness Awareness Week we are reminding people to ‘See the Person’. As we work to address the wider structural issues, we must never lose sight of the people affected by homelessness – their hopes, their struggles and their strengths. This funding will provide a meaningful lift for thousands of adults and children experiencing homelessness over the festive period, ensuring they feel seen, valued and supported at a time when loneliness and hardship can hit hardest.”
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: L-R Nicole Lappin, Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Nicola McCrudden from Homeless Connect mark the 2025 Goodwill Grant. The funding of £150,000 will be used to provide seasonal meals and small gifts for those experiencing homelessness.
- In 2024 the Goodwill Grant benefitted 2,425 adults and 1,046 children.
- Homelessness Awareness Week (HAW), which runs from 1-7 December 2025, is a week of social, educational and awareness raising events which aims to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness in Northern Ireland.
- The theme of HAW 2025 is ‘See the Person’.
- Homeless Connect is the representative body for the homelessness sector in Northern Ireland.
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